5 Signs You Might Need a Hearing Test

Spotting hearing loss before it becomes a problem

Overview | The 5 signs to look out for | What to do next | Conclusion

Hearing loss is usually gradual

Hearing loss is one of those things that tends to creep up gradually - so gradually, in fact, that many people don't realise they're experiencing it until it's become quite significant.

Unlike waking up one morning unable to hear properly, hearing loss typically develops over the years, which makes it remarkably easy to dismiss or adapt to without really noticing.

Here are five signs that it might be time to book a hearing test, even if you think your hearing is perfectly fine.

1. You're constantly asking people to repeat themselves

If "sorry, what was that?" or "could you say that again?" have become your most frequently used phrases, that's a fairly strong indicator that something might be up.

We all mishear things occasionally - someone mumbles, there's background noise, or we're simply not paying attention.

But if you're finding yourself asking for repetition multiple times in most conversations, particularly in relatively quiet environments, it's worth investigating further.

What often happens is that you can hear that someone's speaking, but the words themselves sound muffled or unclear. This is because hearing loss frequently affects higher-frequency sounds first.

These are the very sounds that give speech its clarity and help us distinguish between similar words. You might hear the vowels just fine but miss the consonants that make words intelligible.

2. Television volume has become a point of contention

Here's a classic scenario: you're watching television at what seems like a perfectly reasonable volume, but everyone else in the household is complaining it's far too loud. Or perhaps you've noticed you need the subtitles on these days, even for programmes in your own language.

This is particularly telling if you used to watch comfortably at lower volumes but have gradually been turning it up over time.

The tricky thing is that this increase usually happens so slowly that you don't notice you're doing it. It's only when someone else comments on it - or when you visit someone else's home and realise their television volume seems impossibly quiet.

You might then start to wonder if something's changed. By the time the volume becomes a household issue, there's often already a noticeable degree of hearing loss present.

3. Following conversations in noisy environments has become exhausting

We've all been in that restaurant or pub where you simply can't hear yourself think. But there's a difference between genuinely excessive noise that bothers everyone and finding that you're the only one at the table struggling to follow the conversation.

If you're constantly leaning in, watching people's lips to help you understand, or nodding along whilst having no idea what's actually being said, that's significant.

Many people with early hearing loss find themselves increasingly avoiding social situations because following group conversations becomes mentally exhausting rather than enjoyable.

This isn't just about missing words - it's about the cognitive effort required to fill in the gaps and piece together what's being said. After a few hours in a busy environment, you might feel absolutely drained in a way that others don't seem to experience.

4. Certain sounds have simply disappeared

Have you stopped hearing the birds singing outside? Do you no longer notice the indicator ticking in your car? What about the beep of the microwave or the sound of water running from a tap?

These everyday sounds often disappear so gradually that you don't realise they're missing until someone points them out or until you really stop to think about it.

Higher-frequency sounds tend to go first, which includes things like birdsong, doorbells, phone notifications, and various household appliances. You might not miss these sounds consciously - in fact, you might have assumed that your doorbell had broken.

But their absence is often one of the clearest indicators of developing hearing loss, even if it hasn't yet significantly affected your ability to understand speech.

5. People complain you're speaking too loudly

This one catches many people by surprise because it seems counterintuitive - surely if you can't hear well, you'd speak more quietly? Actually, the opposite tends to happen. When you're not hearing your own voice properly, you naturally speak louder to compensate.

You might also find yourself speaking more loudly because you've unconsciously adjusted to everyone else needing to speak up for you to hear them, and you've matched their volume.

Family members and colleagues might mention that you don't need to shout, or you might notice people physically stepping back from you during conversations.

It's quite an awkward thing for someone to point out, which means by the time someone actually mentions it, it's likely been noticeable for a while.

What to do next

If any of these signs sound familiar - particularly if you've recognised yourself in more than one - it's genuinely worth booking a hearing test. The good news is that modern hearing tests are quick, painless, and far more sophisticated than you might expect.

They're not just about whether you can hear beeps at different volumes; they assess how well you understand speech, how you process sound in different situations, and exactly which frequencies are affected.

Better still, early intervention makes a real difference. The longer you wait to address hearing loss, the more your brain adapts to receiving unclear sound signals, and the harder it can be to adjust to amplification later on.

Modern hearing aids are also remarkably different from what you might remember - they're discreet, intelligent, and designed to work with your brain's natural hearing processes rather than simply making everything louder.

A hearing test doesn't commit you to anything - it simply gives you information about your hearing health and options if there are any issues. And if your hearing turns out to be fine? Well, at least you'll have peace of mind and a baseline for future comparison.

Hearing is too important to your quality of life, your relationships, and your safety to ignore. If you've noticed any of these signs, don't put off getting it checked. You might be surprised by the difference it makes.

Conclusion

Hearing loss is remarkably common, yet it remains one of those health issues people tend to put off addressing.

Perhaps it's because the changes are so gradual, or maybe it's just easier to convince yourself that everyone else is mumbling rather than admit something might have changed.

But here's the thing: your hearing connects you to the world around you, to your loved ones, and to the experiences that make life enjoyable.

Missing out on conversations or constantly feeling exhausted from the effort of trying to hear properly isn't just inconvenient - it genuinely affects your quality of life.

The good news is that modern hearing aids are sophisticated pieces of technology that can adapt to your lifestyle and help you hear naturally rather than just making everything uncomfortably loud. And it all starts with a simple hearing test.

If you've recognised yourself in any of these five signs, don't wait until the problem becomes impossible to ignore. Book a hearing test with one our our qualified hearing care professionals.

You've got nothing to lose except perhaps the frustration of constantly asking "what?" - and potentially a great deal to gain.

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Do you think you might have hearing loss?

If you've recognised any of these signs in yourself, it's time to get your hearing checked. Book a comprehensive hearing assessment with one of our qualified hearing care professionals who can evaluate your hearing health and discuss the best options for your lifestyle and needs.

Early intervention makes all the difference - don't wait until hearing loss affects your daily life and relationships. Contact your local hearing care provider today to arrange your hearing test.

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