Hearing loss isn’t always obvious. In fact, it can develop so gradually that you may not realise how much your hearing has changed.
Perhaps you’ve started turning the television up a little louder. Maybe you’re asking people to repeat themselves more often, struggling to follow conversations in busy places or finding yourself concentrating harder to understand what people are saying. These small changes can be easy to dismiss or simply become part of everyday life. But they can also be early signs, or ‘red flags’, that your hearing has changed.
The British and Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA) has launched its Hearing Loss Red Flags campaign to help more people recognise these everyday signs of hearing loss and encourage them to take action sooner.
At Hearing Therapy, we’re supporting this important campaign by helping people understand some of the signs to look out for and why you shouldn’t simply put up with hearing difficulties.
What are some of the red flags of hearing loss?
Everyone’s experience of hearing loss is different, but there are several everyday signs that could indicate your hearing has changed.
1. You regularly ask people to repeat themselves
We all miss something occasionally. But if “sorry?” or “could you say that again?” has become a regular part of your conversations, it could be worth having your hearing checked. You may particularly notice this when someone is speaking quietly, from another room or when you can’t see their face.
2. The television or radio keeps getting louder
Have other people started telling you that the television or radio is too loud? Increasing the volume can happen gradually, so you might not notice that you’re doing it. If other people regularly comment on the volume you prefer, it could be one of the signs that your hearing has changed.
3. Conversations are harder when there’s background noise
Restaurants, cafes, family gatherings and other busy environments can make conversation challenging for anyone. However, if you increasingly struggle to follow what someone is saying when there are other voices or sounds around you, this can be a sign of hearing difficulties. You might hear that someone is speaking but find it difficult to make out the individual words.
4. It sounds as though people are mumbling
Do you sometimes feel as though everyone has suddenly started mumbling? Certain words can become harder to hear clearly as your hearing changes, which can make speech seem unclear even when the person speaking is talking clearly. If this is happening regularly with different people, your hearing may be worth investigating.
5. Following conversations takes more effort
Hearing difficulties aren’t always simply about volume. You may find yourself concentrating intensely during conversations, watching people’s mouths closely or trying to piece together parts of sentences from the words you can hear. This extra effort can make conversations tiring, particularly after a long day or when several people are talking at once.
6. You’re starting to avoid certain social situations
Perhaps you used to enjoy going out for dinner but now find restaurants frustrating because you can’t follow the conversation. Or maybe large family gatherings have become difficult because several people are talking at the same time.
When communicating becomes harder, it can be tempting to avoid situations where you know you’ll struggle. If hearing difficulties are beginning to change the way you socialise or communicate with the people around you, it’s worth finding out why.
7. Other people have noticed before you have
If your partner, friends or family have started suggesting you aren’t hearing them properly, try not to dismiss it. Hearing loss can develop gradually, and the people around us sometimes recognise the changes before we do. Their comments could be an important early sign that it’s time to have your hearing assessed.
Why acting sooner matters
BIHIMA’s Hearing Loss Red Flags campaign is encouraging people not to wait years before addressing their hearing. Research cited by BIHIMA suggests it typically takes people seven to ten years from first noticing a change in their hearing to actually doing something about it. That’s a long time to live with hearing difficulties that could have been assessed and supported.
According to BIHIMA’s EuroTrak data, 96% of people say hearing instruments improve their quality of life, while 71% wish they had sought help sooner. Yet only 51% of people with hearing loss currently use hearing instruments.
Having your hearing checked also doesn’t automatically mean that you will need hearing aids. A comprehensive hearing assessment can help determine whether you have hearing loss and how it may be affecting you. It can also help identify whether further investigation is needed and let you discuss the options available to you. Sometimes simply knowing what is happening with your hearing can be an important first step.
What if your hearing changes suddenly?
There is an important difference between the gradual changes described above and hearing that suddenly deteriorates. Sudden hearing loss can require urgent medical attention.
If you suddenly lose your hearing in one or both ears, or notice a significant reduction in your hearing over a few days, you should seek urgent medical advice rather than waiting for a routine hearing appointment.
Have you recognised any of these red flags?
If you’ve recognised any of the signs above, it may be worth having your hearing checked.
At Hearing Therapy, we can assess your hearing, talk through any difficulties you’ve been experiencing and help you understand the options available to you.
Whether you’ve noticed a change yourself or somebody close to you has noticed that you’re not hearing things as clearly as you used to, a hearing assessment can give you a clearer picture of what’s happening.
Book a hearing assessment with Hearing Therapy.
About the Hearing Loss Red Flags campaign
This article supports the Hearing Loss Red Flags campaign from the British and Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA), which aims to raise awareness of the signs of hearing loss and encourage people to seek support sooner