Specsavers launches ‘The Testlist’

Specsavers launches ‘The Testlist’ with groove armada to encourage hearing checks among the original rave generation

New research reveals over-50s remain central to live music culture, but one in five say hearing struggles have affected how often they attend events

Specsavers has launched The Testlist, a new club guestlist series for over-50s unlocked by its free three-minute online hearing screener, with Groove Armada headlining the inaugural event.

The campaign brings together music culture, behaviour-change insight and clinical hearing information to encourage a generation of music fans to take a simple first step towards understanding their hearing health.

Created for the generation that danced at the Haçienda, lived the Second Summer of Love and helped shape British rave culture, The Testlist gives eligible music fans the chance to secure tickets to exclusive live music events across the UK and Ireland after completing Specsavers’ online hearing screener.

New research commissioned by Specsavers shows over-50s remain a significant force in live music. Three quarters (75%) attend live music events, more than a quarter (27%) go out as often as they did 20 years ago, and nearly half (47%) say some of their happiest memories involve music. More than a quarter say they contributed to the creation of club culture (27%) and almost a quarter to dance music culture (24%).

However, the same research highlights the impact hearing can have on continued participation in music. One in five (20%) over-50s surveyed say hearing struggles have reduced how often they go to live music events, while many report ringing in their ears (46%), muffled hearing or temporary hearing loss after nights out (13%). More than a third (38%) do not take preventative steps to protect their hearing when attending live music events.

The campaign also reflects an appetite for more hearing-aware live music experiences. Nearly two thirds (61%) of over-50s surveyed say the availability of hearing protection would be important or essential when choosing where to go, and one in five (21%) would attend more live music events if there were experiences designed specifically with their generation in mind.

Groove Armada will headline the inaugural Testlist event with an intimate DJ set at London’s Phonox on Thursday 15 October. Their anthem Superstylin’ marks its 25th anniversary this year, providing a fitting soundtrack for a generation that continues to fill dancefloors.

As a supporter of the ‘Listen for Life’ campaign, a healthy hearing initiative for the music industry championed by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and Specsavers, The Testlist launch event will provide hearing protection so guests can enjoy the music while helping protect their hearing.

Tom Findlay from Groove Armada said: “We’ve been blessed to spend 30 years in the music scene, and nothing compares to that feeling of being in a crowd with sound so powerful you can feel it in your bones. Our generation was the first to rave and they’re still on the dancefloor now. We put our ears to very good use and were way too busy having fun to think about the cost of it. I’ve experienced hearing loss and occasionally wear a hearing device, so I can really relate to this campaign. The Testlist gives people a reason to engage with their hearing so you can stay connected to the music you love.”

Andy Cato from Groove Armada added: “People put off getting their hearing checked but they do want to get on the guestlist. That’s where The Testlist comes into its own. And we are very proud to be part of that.”

Sonam Sehemby, Head of Clinical Training at Specsavers, commented: “Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it easy to miss. Through The Testlist, we’re hoping to encourage more music fans to check their hearing, so they can continue enjoying the artists they love exactly as they were meant to sound.”

To be in with a chance of securing free tickets to Groove Armada’s intimate DJ set at Phonox on Thursday 15 October, over-50s can take the online hearing screener and get their name on The Testlist at specsavers.co.uk/testlist by 13 September 2026. Further announcements of acts taking part will follow.