Signs of hearing loss: what your family notices before you do

The person living with it is often the last to notice

Hearing loss tends to arrive slowly, so the person living with it is often the last to notice. The clues usually show up first in everyday situations and in other people's reactions.

Signs you may notice yourself

• You turn the television or phone volume up more than before.
• People seem to mumble, especially in restaurants, at weddings or in group conversations.
• You often ask people to repeat themselves.
• You miss the doorbell, a phone call or an alarm.
• Phone calls are harder than face-to-face conversation.
• Group settings leave you tired by the end of the day.

Signs your family may notice

• You speak louder than you used to.
• Your answers do not quite match the question.
• You avoid noisy gatherings that you once enjoyed.
• Others feel they are repeating themselves all day.

Volume is only half of it

Many people can tell that someone is speaking but cannot make out the words, particularly in noise. That is why a hearing test at Greatsound includes a speech-clarity test as well as measuring the softest sounds you can hear.

A five-question self-check

If you say yes to any of these more than occasionally, a hearing test is a sensible next step. This is a prompt to get checked, not a diagnosis.

• Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
• Do you keep the television louder than others in the room like it?
• Do you find it hard to follow conversation in a restaurant or at a gathering?
• Do you miss phone calls or the doorbell?
• Do people tell you that you speak loudly?

When it should not wait

Sudden hearing loss, hearing loss in one ear only, severe ear pain, discharge or dizziness need a doctor or ENT specialist promptly, not a routine appointment.

What a hearing test involves

Allow around 45 minutes: a conversation about what you find hard, an ear examination, hearing measurement, a speech-clarity test, and your results explained in plain language. Bring a family member if you like. You leave knowing what was measured and what comes next. Buying a hearing aid is never required.