Thousands of people who are deaf in one ear are missing out on effective treatment, according to experts.

The Advisory Group for single-sided deafness - which includes two Newcastle-based specialists - says too many people are not receiving treatment because of lack of awareness among health professionals.

Tens of thousands suffer from SSD and it is estimated there are 9,000 new cases in the UK every year.

Yet few get access to highly effective treatment which is available on the NHS.

In their report, the group recommends that Single Sided Deafness (SSD) should be recognised as a serious and potentially debilitating condition.

The group includes Professor David Mendelow from Newcastle General Hospital and Mr Ian Johnson from the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

Symptoms experienced by SSD sufferers are different from those experienced by hearing loss in both ears.

But for many SSD sufferers the condition has a severe and disabling effect on work, home and social life.

However SSD can be treated by two methods which are available on the NHS.

Patients can either be fitted with a tiny titanium implant behind the ear, linked to a small external sound processor or with a system which involves two hearing aids and a connecting wire.

Mr Johnson, a consultant surgeon at the Freeman Hospital, said: "There has been a perception that little can be done for these patients but these patients ought to be referred as treatment options exist."