While these noises may be cringing and tiresome to some, they would be like sweet music to more than 22,000 people across the city who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Now a city-based charity is asking people to nominate the noise they would miss most if they lost their hearing.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), based in Orton Southgate, is asking people in Peterborough to take just one minute to imagine a world without sound during this year's Deaf Awareness Week.

The week, which ends tomorrow, also saw the charity's logo projected on to the Palace of Westminster and the sound of Big Ben's chimes projected in the words "Bong, Bong" down the side of St Stephen's tower.

To launch the campaign, the RNID carried out a poll to find out which sounds people would miss the most.

The voice of a loved one came top with 28 per cent of the vote, followed closely by music (25 per cent) and laughter (18 per cent).

Other noises high in the poll included, gossiping and chatter, bird song, the sea, the wind rustling through the trees and the radio and TV.

Chief executive of RNID Jackie Ballard said: "During Deaf Awareness Week we want people in Peterborough to take a moment to imagine a world without sound, to think about how you would you feel if you lost your hearing and were not able to hear sounds that you have always taken for granted, such as bird song, laughter, or perhaps your favourite piece of music.

"Hearing loss can have a profound impact on people's lives; many become isolated and lose touch with their friends and family. By getting people to imagine a world without sound, we hope to encourage people to be more aware of their hearing."

As part of Deaf Awareness Week, RNID is also launching a national photographic competition inviting people to upload images of the things that make the sounds they would miss the most if they lost their hearing.

n For more information, visit www.worldwithoutsound.org or call RNID's information line on 0808 808 0123 (telephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone).

n If you think that you, or someone you know, might have some hearing loss, why not take RNID's five-minute telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555.