Loud background music on television

But Tom and Dorothy Kenley, of Spindlewood Drive, say this welcome relief is still some way in the future.

They are appealing to fellow sufferers to pick up their pens and support their campaign.

Nine months ago the couple presented a petition to town MP Gregory Barker complaining about loud background music on television.

They say: "This petition was sent by Mr Barker to the Secretary of State for Media, Margaret Hodge, but unfortunately the Government could not help.

"The petition was then sent to OFCOM and also to the Director General of the BBC.

"OFCOM said approximately eight million people over the age of 50 have problems hearing dialogue on television because of background music.

"They have said they have asked all television broadcasters to take into account the problem facing the over-fifties and make programmes with suitable background music.

"Unfortunately, OFCOM do not have powers to insist that this is done. The lack of powers seems to be typical of regulators today.

"Considerable correspondence has taken place between the lead petitioner and the Director General of the BBC via the MP and although the BBC accept there is a problem they will not give an assurance that they have instructed their programme makers to take this problem into account when making programmes, which is disappointing.

"There is some good news. OFCOM has worked with Dolby and the broadcasters on a system whereby viewers will be able to adjust their television set to a level of background music to suit their taste and hearing ability, however, this will be some time in the future.

"The BBC also said that if viewers find difficulty hearing a particular programme they should write to them - so take up your pens, please!"

The couple say they and their lead petitioners would like to thank all the people who signed the petition and Mr Barker for his help.