Signs of Hearing Loss

Common Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often develops gradually, which means it can go unnoticed for some time. Recognising the early signs is important so that you can take steps to protect your hearing health and seek appropriate support. Some of the most common indicators include:

• Struggling to hear conversations: Especially in noisy environments or when more than one person is speaking.
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves: This can be one of the earliest and most common signs.
• Turning up the volume: Needing the television, radio, or phone volume higher than others around you.
• Difficulty hearing on the phone: Voices may sound muffled or unclear, even at full volume.
• Withdrawing from social situations: Avoiding group conversations or noisy environments because it's difficult to follow what's being said.
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears: Also known as tinnitus, this can often accompany hearing loss.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs in yourself or someone close to you, it’s a good idea to arrange a hearing assessment. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve quality of life.

Book a Hearing Test

Hearing loss warning signs

Hearing loss generally develops slowly over many years. At first, you may not even notice that you are losing your hearing. Often relatives, friends or colleagues are the first to realize that something is wrong.

But early detection is important to maintain your quality of life. Here are some things to look for if you think you might have hearing loss.

• Do you ask people to repeat themselves because you have trouble following conversations, especially in a noisy room?
• Do sounds and speech sound muffled to you?
• Do you struggle to hear consonants like “s,” “h” and “f” when someone is speaking to you?
• Do people ask you to turn down the volume of your TV or radio program?
• Do you find it difficult to understand phone conversations clearly?
• Do you often feel exhausted after social gatherings or try to avoid them because listening is such an effort?
• Do you follow conversations better when you are able to look at the person talking to you for visual cues?
• Do you sometimes experience a faint-to-loud buzzing, ringing or humming in your ears?

If you’ve noticed any of these signs in yourself or someone close to you, it’s a good idea to arrange a hearing assessment. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve quality of life.

Book a Hearing Test