Image source, Getty Images

Ten million people in the UK - one in six of us - have some degree of hearing loss.

The main causes are hereditary factors, noise exposure, trauma and ear diseases. And, of course, there is age.

Like getting fatter and going grey, we tend to think of hearing loss as an inevitable part of ageing, and it is certainly true that as you get older your hearing tends to get worse.

More than 40% of people over 50 have some degree of hearing loss, rising to 70% of those over the age of 70.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says we must improve awareness around how well and to what degree someone should be able to hear.

Poor acoustics and background noise can seriously impact people's experience at places like the cinema or music concerts, he says.

Meetings and events should be accessible to everyone, no matter what their hearing level is the Tory MSP adds.

Mr Stewart points to the hearing access protocol, external which gives information how to do this.

Government has a duty to support and drive change, alongside with charities, for people with hearing loss or deafness he concludes.

Image source, SPTV

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart is leading a debate marking World Hearing Day and Hearing Awareness Week..

Click her for the BSL channel live., external

Ms Sturgeon says the government is committed to the highest animal welfare standards.

Mr Smyth asks if the first minister agrees weeks-old calves being transported abroad purely for slaughter does nothing to enhance the reputation of Scotland.

The Labour MSP calls for an end to the transport of live animals for slaughter abroad.

There is only transport for rearing replies the first minister, not for slaughter.

Image source, Eyes on Animals

Animal welfare groups called for live calf exports from Scotland to be banned following a BBC investigation last September.

About 5,000 calves were shipped to Europe in 2017 from Scotland yet none were exported from England.

The investigation found most calves were taken to Catalonia in Spain, at just three weeks old, to be fattened before slaughter.

Campaigners claim the long journey is harmful but the industry said the alternative was shooting them at birth.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth asks for the Scottish government's position on a ban on live animal exports.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says the pay claim made by college lecturers is fair and calls for a settlement to this dispute.

Ms Sturgeon says the government respects these negotiations and adds she hopes to get college lecturers back around the table.

Ms Sturgeon urges the SQA and unions to continue constructive discussions to find a resolution.

Ms Smith says parents and pupils are already concerned about a teachers strike and now they must worry about an SQA strike.

What are the contingency plans she asks.

The first minister says there is annually updated contingency plan, but she says she wants to ensure it is not required.

Scotland's largest teachers' union has given more details about its plans for a strike if a pay deal is not reached.

The EIS plans to start a strike ballot on 11 March and said it could stage a walkout on Wednesday 24 April - the day before school exams begin.

Union members have rejected a pay offer worth 9% by April plus 3% next year.

The EIS executive said it would not take any strike action during the school exam diet but could strike again in June.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Liz Smith asks about engagement with the SQA to prevent possible strike action during the forthcoming summer exams.

Tory MSP Maurice Golden says there is genuine cross-party concern that environmental targets will be missed due to a failure to take an evidence-based approach.

He says targets and implementation requires a robust evidence-based approach.

Ms Sturgeon criticises the Tories' "knee jerk reaction" to the workplace parking levy proposal.

Regarding waste, she insists the target sets a level of ambition we should be working towards.

Ms Sturgeon replies that since 2012 there has been a statutory duty to recycle.

The first minister says it is disappointing some councils are not ready to deliver on the landfill ban.

Ms Grahame says a recent toy torch with whirly coloured lights she bought took 20 minutes to unpack, adding even the humble turnip is wrapped now.

The first minister begins by saying she is relieved to hear the toy torch with whirly coloured lights was for Ms Grahame's grandchild.

She goes on to commit to reducing the levels of packaging.

Image source, Getty Images

A ban on household waste going to landfill by 2021 is "unlikely" to be achieved, Scotland's councils have warned.

The Scottish government wants to stop traditional black bag waste and a range of recyclable materials being buried in the ground.

This will be achieved by increasing recycling rates and building more energy-from-waste incinerators.

But reaching this goal is now in doubt, according to councils.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame queries the Scottish government's confidence levels on ending traditional black bag waste and a range of recyclable materials being buried in the ground by its target of 2021.

SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth raises Brexit and the first minister says it is "scandalous" that Scotland is facing a no deal.

She says the Tories are not standing up for Scotland's interest.