Say What? Knowing when to seek help for your hearing loss

As we get older, it can be easy to miss changes happening within our bodies, especially regarding things such as eyesight and hearing.

Decline often happens slowly, so you adapt to the shift almost unwittingly, which in itself often leads to unnecessary suffering. For this reason, it is never too early to get your hearing checked so any deterioration can be checked and acted upon.

Signs you need a hearing test
Sometimes it can take the input of your nearest and dearest to flag up a potential audio issue as they notice you increasingly asking them to repeat words or phrases.

Similarly, increasing the volume of the television or radio to levels uncomfortable for others is often a sign it’s time to get checked.

From a personal perspective, it may be when you have difficulty understanding conversations, particularly in noisy environments, or maybe you struggle to hear high-pitched sounds, such as children’s voices or birdsong.

It may not seem like a big deal, but these issues can lead to feelings of isolation or withdrawal so must be addressed.

Sudden change
In some cases change can be abrupt, and urgent action must be taken. This could be because of a serious problem, or perhaps something much less sinister – such as ear infections or wax build-up.

Once again, early intervention can lead to better outcomes, so acting promptly is always wise.

Seeking help
Many high street pharmacists and opticians offer free hearing tests for people of all ages. This makes it super easy to get your hearing checked as appointments are readily available and the test is pain-free, taking as little as 15 minutes.

Solutions
Once your hearing test results are available, your audiologist will recommend suitable treatment options. For diagnosed hearing loss (usually down to advance age) the first port of call will usually be hearing aids which amplify sounds to improve hearing clarity. NHS hearing aids are free, while private models often come with advanced features and can cost between £500 and £3,500.

For severe hearing loss, cochlear implants may be recommended. These are typically available through NHS services after thorough evaluation. If tinnitus accompanies your hearing loss, your audiologist may suggest therapies or sound masking devices, and in rarer cases, surgery may be necessary to address structural issues or chronic infections affecting hearing.

Follow-up
Hearing health requires ongoing monitoring. Audiologists will offer additional appointments to ensure your treatment plan is effective. The most important lesson though, is to seek help whenever you suspect a change, and never, ever suffer in silence.

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