HEARING loss is a tragedy in itself – and for the disability benefits system not to recognise this is simply appalling (Letters, November 2) but what compounds this tragedy is the fact that local authorities actually license music venues at which music is played at a volume that is proven to result in permanent damage to those who attend.

Clearly the young people face a double whammy – to suffer hearing loss from attending entertainment venues is bad enough but the fact that these premises are licensed by the local authorities is something we should all be concerned about.

Alan McKinney,

10 Beauchamp Road,

Edinburgh.