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Hearing loss is more common than we think. According to statistics, it affects one in six UK adults by the time they reach 60 – including over 55% of people aged 75 and above – making it the third most common health condition among adults.
Hearing loss can be difficult to live with, but it can be reassuring to know that there are ways to make it easier to manage.
With that said, we’ve teamed up with The Hearing Care Partnership to explore some of the most common signs of hearing loss, plus tips on how to manage. The Hearing Care Partnership understands the importance of better hearing and provides personalised, expert services to help you live life to the full.
Their professional audiologists offer free hearing assessments and tinnitus support at over 300 locations across the UK, plus free aftercare if you need to invest in a hearing device.
What can cause hearing loss?
Our ears naturally change and deteriorate as we age, making age the biggest risk factor for hearing loss. However, hearing loss can also be caused by several other factors, including ear infections, injury, a build-up of earwax, and long-term damage from loud noise. Genetics can also play a role in hearing loss risk.
There are two types of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. It’s also possible to experience both types, which experts call mixed hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs because of damage to the auditory nerve (which sends sound signals to the brain) or the sensitive hair cells that line the inner ear. This can be caused by injury, long-term exposure to loud noises, age, and some medications.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sounds can’t pass from the outer ear to the inner ear due to a blockage – for example, earwax, a perforated eardrum, a hearing bone disorder, or fluid build-up caused by an ear infection. Most cases of conductive hearing loss can be corrected with treatment, like antibiotics or ear drops.
Hear life in full colour. Book a FREE hearing test!
The Hearing Care Partnership is dedicated to offering you personalised service and the latest hearing technology. Their tailored specialist tests, care and expertise help you to live life to the full. A free hearing assessment can help identify potential hearing loss, whether minor or more severe – book your appointment today.
5 signs of hearing loss
Depending on the cause, symptoms of hearing loss can vary.
For example, experiencing itchiness and hearing loss in one ear could be a sign of an ear infection that can be treated with medication, while gradual hearing loss may indicate damage caused by frequent exposure to loud noise.
When it comes to age-related hearing loss, it’s fairly common for people around you to notice problems with your hearing before you do.
We’ll cover some of the most common signs of hearing loss below. You might also like to take this free online hearing test from The Hearing Care Partnership.
1. Difficulty following conversations
This may be particularly true when there’s background noise, during group conversations when multiple people are talking at once, or over the phone when you can’t see people’s facial expressions and lip movements.
2. Struggling to locate where sound is coming from
Hearing loss can sometimes make it difficult to work out where a sound is coming from, particularly in noisy environments. This is particularly common in people with hearing loss in only one ear.
3. Turning the television up to a high volume
Friends and family may say you have the TV volume too loud, but it doesn’t sound loud to you at all.
4. Feeling stressed or tired
Hearing loss can affect more than just your ability to hear. Due to the extra effort put into trying to listen, many people with hearing loss experience feelings of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
Research also suggests that, if left untreated, hearing loss may begin to affect memory, mental sharpness, sociability, and dementia risk.
5. Experiencing symptoms of tinnitus
Research has identified a strong link between tinnitus and damaged hearing. While tinnitus itself doesn’t cause hearing loss, it’s common for the two conditions to occur together.
This may be because tinnitus is often caused by damage to the inner ear – like by long-term exposure to loud noises.
The Hearing Care Partnership has more information about signs and symptoms of hearing loss on their website.
Where to seek help if you’re struggling with hearing loss
According to The Hearing Care Partnership, UK adults wait an average of seven years before accepting their hearing loss and seeking treatment– with it often being friends and family encouraging them to get help.
However, the earlier you seek help for hearing loss, the more effective your treatment is likely to be. It’s also been found that people who take action on their hearing loss earlier are typically happier, feel more empowered, have better relationships, and experience increased self-esteem.
If you suspect you might be suffering from hearing loss, it’s important to book a hearing test. Experts advise having your ears tested at least once every two years if you’re over 55 – and more often if you already have hearing loss.
The Hearing Care Partnership offers free hearing tests at their local clinics, available at over 300 of them across the UK.
Hear life in full colour. Book a FREE hearing test!
The Hearing Care Partnership is dedicated to offering you personalised service and the latest hearing technology. Their tailored specialist tests, care and expertise help you to live life to the full. A free hearing assessment can help identify potential hearing loss, whether minor or more severe – book your appointment today.
How is hearing loss treated?
Treatment for hearing loss will depend on its cause.
For example, hearing loss caused by an ear infection or build-up of earwax can often be treated with antibiotics or ear drops. More permanent hearing loss, caused by ageing or long-term noise exposure, may be treated with hearing aids or implants. We’ll explore hearing aids and implants below.
Hearing aids
While hearing aids won’t fully restore your hearing, they can make sounds louder and clearer – allowing you to hear better.
There are various types of hearing aids available. The right ones for you will depend on your personal needs and preferences. For example, some hearing aids are placed behind the ear, while others are designed to be invisible and in-the-ear.
If you’d like guidance on this, you might find The Hearing Care Partnership’s guide to how to choose the best hearing aid, useful. You’ll find information on the different types of hearing aids available, as well as information on how to enjoy daily life with hearing aids.
The Hearing Care Partnership also offers free hearing aid reviews if you’d like to discuss your options with an expert. Audiologists will work with you to find the right hearing aid solution for your needs.
Tips for coping with hearing loss and protecting your ears
Hearing loss can be difficult to live with, particularly if it’s not something you’ve struggled with before. However, the good news is that there are ways you can make life easier and protect your ears day-to-day.
For example, it can help to…
Protect your ears in loud environments
To prevent further damage to your hearing, it’s important to protect your ears. This includes limiting exposure to loud sounds where possible or wearing high-quality earplugs or ear defenders in loud environments, such as live music concerts.
Wear your hearing aids
Many people find it difficult to accept treatment for their hearing loss – particularly if their symptoms are due to age. This can be especially true if they’ve been advised to wear hearing aids, which many people fear will be a visible sign of hearing loss.
This study found that around 20% of UK adults don’t use their hearing aids at all, and another 30% only use them occasionally.
If you struggle with this, reminding yourself of the many benefits of accepting treatment for hearing loss – such as joining conversations with ease and taking care of your health long-term – can be helpful. Take this study, which found that hearing aids reduced listening-related fatigue and increased social activity.
The Hearing Care Partnership has several hearing aid guides available on their website, covering everything from keeping your hearing aids clean to hearing aids and sports.
Let people know if you’re struggling
It’s common for people with hearing loss not to tell others that they’re struggling, due to embarrassment. In some cases, this can lead to people feeling socially isolated or even depressed.
It’s important to remember that the people around you will be able to support you better if they’re aware that you’re struggling – for example, by taking steps to communicate more clearly. Very often, having a strong support network can help ease feelings of embarrassment or anxiety caused by hearing loss.
Hear life in full colour. Book a FREE hearing test!
The Hearing Care Partnership is dedicated to offering you personalised service and the latest hearing technology. Their tailored specialist tests, care and expertise help you to live life to the full. A free hearing assessment can help identify potential hearing loss, whether minor or more severe – book your appointment today.
Final thoughts…
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions among adults in the UK. It can be difficult and frustrating to live with, often impacting people’s confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life.
If you’re currently struggling, it’s important to remember you’re not alone and help is available. Many people find that simply reaching out, seeking treatment, and gaining a better understanding of their condition makes all the difference.
The Hearing Care Partnership offers free hearing assessments and tinnitus consultations at over 300 locations across the UK, plus free hearing care advice and aftercare if you need to invest in a hearing device.
For further reading, head over to our general health section.
What are your experiences of hearing loss? Do you have any more tips that you’d like to share? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.