Hearing loss with age is one of the most common health conditions affecting older adults, yet it is also one of the most frequently overlooked. Known medically as presbycusis, age-related hearing loss develops so gradually that many people do not realise their hearing is changing until it has already had a noticeable impact on their daily life.
If you have been wondering “do I have hearing loss?” or have started to notice subtle changes in the way you hear the world around you, you are not alone. At Sussex Audiology Centre, we speak with patients across Sussex every day who tell us the same thing: they wish they had acted sooner. The good news is that recognising the early symptoms of hearing loss is the first step towards getting the right support, and early intervention can make a remarkable difference.
In this guide, we walk you through six early symptoms of age-related hearing loss, explain what causes presbycusis, and help you understand when to get a hearing test.
Before we explore the symptoms, it helps to understand what is actually happening inside your ear. Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is a type of sensorineural hearing loss. This means it is caused by changes within the inner ear, specifically to the tiny hair cells inside the cochlea that are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.
Over time, these delicate hair cells naturally deteriorate. Unlike other cells in the body, they do not regenerate once they are damaged or lost. This is why hearing loss in older adults tends to be permanent and progressive. Most people begin to notice the first signs of hearing loss from around the age of 60, although changes can begin as early as your 40s or 50s.
Several risk factors can accelerate presbycusis, including prolonged exposure to loud noise, a family history of hearing loss, smoking, and health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Understanding the causes of hearing loss can help you take proactive steps to protect your hearing as you get older.
Presbycusis symptoms tend to appear slowly and affect both ears equally. Because the changes are gradual, it can be difficult to tell if your hearing is getting worse without knowing what to look for. Here are the six early signs of hearing loss that we see most commonly in our patients across Sussex.
One of the earliest and most telling presbycusis symptoms is difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. You may find that certain voices, particularly those of women and children, become harder to follow. Consonant sounds such as “s,” “t,” “k,” “p,” and “f” can start to blur or disappear entirely, making speech sound muffled or unclear even when someone is speaking at a normal volume.
This happens because the hair cells responsible for detecting higher frequencies are typically the first to deteriorate with age. You might not notice the change straight away, but over time, conversations can start to feel more effortful and less natural.
Another hallmark early symptom of age-related hearing loss is finding it increasingly difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments. Restaurants, family gatherings, busy shops, and social events can become particularly challenging. You may hear that people are talking, but the words themselves seem to blend into the surrounding noise.
This is because presbycusis affects your brain’s ability to separate speech from background sound. If you have started avoiding crowded places or feeling anxious about social situations because of how hard it is to keep up, this is a significant indicator that your hearing may be changing.
We all ask someone to repeat themselves from time to time, and that is perfectly normal. However, if you find that you are regularly asking friends, family, or colleagues to say things again, or if you are relying on others to fill you in on what was said, it could be one of the first signs of hearing loss.
This is especially common during phone conversations, where you cannot rely on lip reading or facial expressions to help fill in the gaps. If those around you have started to comment on how often you ask them to repeat things, it may be worth considering a hearing assessment.
Have your family members mentioned that the television or radio is too loud? This is one of the mild hearing loss symptoms that people often dismiss or attribute to poor sound quality on their devices. In reality, gradually needing higher volumes to hear dialogue clearly is a very common early indicator of hearing loss with age.
You might also notice that you can hear music or sound effects on the television without difficulty, but struggle to make out what the characters are actually saying. This ties back to the loss of higher frequency hearing, where speech clarity is affected before overall volume perception changes.
Many people with age-related hearing loss also experience tinnitus, which is the perception of ringing, buzzing, humming, or hissing sounds in one or both ears. These sounds are not caused by an external source and can range from a mild nuisance to something that significantly affects concentration and sleep.
Tinnitus and hearing loss frequently go hand in hand, and the onset of tinnitus can sometimes be the first clue that your hearing is declining. If you are experiencing persistent sounds in your ears, our team at Sussex Audiology Centre offers dedicated tinnitus therapy to help you manage the condition and improve your quality of life.
A less obvious but equally important early symptom of hearing loss is listening fatigue. When your hearing begins to decline, your brain has to work significantly harder to process and interpret sounds. This additional cognitive effort can leave you feeling mentally drained after conversations, meetings, or social gatherings.
Over time, this fatigue can lead to social withdrawal. You might find yourself declining invitations, avoiding group conversations, or preferring to stay at home rather than face the exhaustion of trying to keep up. This pattern of withdrawal can have a real impact on your mental health and wellbeing, contributing to feelings of isolation and even depression.
Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine has shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to a significantly increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, making it all the more important to recognise these early warning signs and take action.
Understanding how to tell if your hearing is getting worse is not just about comfort or convenience. Untreated hearing loss can have far-reaching consequences for your overall health and quality of life. Beyond the social isolation and mental fatigue described above, there is growing evidence linking untreated hearing loss to an increased risk of falls, anxiety, depression, and accelerated cognitive decline.
The earlier you seek a professional assessment, the sooner you can explore treatment options that may slow the impact of hearing loss and help you stay connected to the people and activities you love. Modern hearing aids are discreet, highly effective, and tailored to your individual hearing profile and lifestyle.
At Sussex Audiology Centre, our step-by-step hearing aid assessment process covers your health history, a full hearing test, your lifestyle and listening needs, followed by a discussion of the most suitable corrective action. We believe in providing expert, personalised care with absolutely no pressure.
If any of the six symptoms above sound familiar, we would encourage you to book a hearing test sooner rather than later. You do not need a referral from your GP, and there is no need to wait until hearing loss becomes severe before seeking help. In fact, the NHS recommends seeing a professional if you are having trouble with your hearing, as early assessment leads to better outcomes.
Wondering what happens in a hearing test? Our audiologists will carry out a thorough assessment, including a detailed look at your ears using HD video otoscopy and a full hearing evaluation. The entire process is straightforward, painless, and designed to put you at ease. We offer free hearing aid assessments at our clinics across Sussex, including locations in Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Goring-by-Sea, Ferring, and Storrington. We also offer home visits and nursing home visits for those who find it difficult to travel.
Age-related hearing loss may be a natural part of getting older, but that does not mean you have to simply put up with it. By recognising the early symptoms of presbycusis, such as difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, struggling in noisy environments, asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the volume, experiencing tinnitus, and feeling drained after conversations, you can take meaningful steps to protect your hearing health and maintain your quality of life.
Early intervention is key, and the team at Sussex Audiology Centre is here to support you every step of the way. As a family-founded and family-run business, we pride ourselves on offering a friendly, personalised service that puts your needs first.
What is presbycusis and how is it different from other types of hearing loss?
Presbycusis is the medical term for age-related hearing loss. It is a type of sensorineural hearing loss caused by the gradual deterioration of hair cells in the inner ear. Unlike hearing loss caused by ear infections or earwax buildup, presbycusis develops slowly over many years and typically affects both ears equally.
At what age does age-related hearing loss usually start?
Most people begin to experience some degree of hearing loss from around the age of 60, although subtle changes can begin in your 40s or 50s. The severity varies greatly from person to person and depends on genetic factors, noise exposure history, and overall health.
Can age-related hearing loss be prevented?
While you cannot stop the natural ageing process, you can take steps to slow its impact on your hearing. Wearing custom hearing protection in loud environments, managing underlying health conditions, avoiding prolonged noise exposure, and having regular hearing assessments can all help preserve your hearing for longer.
How do I know if my hearing is getting worse?
Common signs include difficulty following conversations in noisy settings, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, needing higher volumes on the television, and feeling exhausted after social interactions. If others have noticed changes in your hearing before you have, that is also a strong indicator.
Do I need a GP referral for a hearing test?
No, you do not need a referral. You can book a hearing assessment directly with Sussex Audiology Centre by phone or through our online booking system. We offer free hearing aid assessments at clinics across Sussex and through our home visit service.
What happens if age-related hearing loss is left untreated?
Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a range of serious health concerns, including social isolation, depression, an increased risk of falls, and a higher likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia. Seeking early treatment can help reduce these risks and significantly improve your day-to-day quality of life.
If you have recognised any of the early symptoms of age-related hearing loss described in this article, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team. Whether you would like to book a hearing assessment at one of our Sussex clinics or arrange a home visit, we are here to help you hear your best.
You can reach us by emailing info@sussexaudiologycentre.co.uk, calling us on 0330 3203 413, or visiting our contact page to book online. We look forward to hearing from you.
4 November 2025
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