I have trouble hearing soft sounds, do I have hearing loss?

I think I have hearing loss because I can't hear soft sounds

What should I do?

Overview    | Signs you might have hearing loss    |    Common causes of hearing loss    |    What to do next    |    Conclusion

I'm straining to hear soft sounds

Have you found yourself asking people to repeat themselves more often than usual? Straining to catch the subtle rustle of leaves or missing out on the whisper of your kettle just beginning to boil? If you’ve been thinking, “I think I have hearing loss because I can't hear soft sounds,” you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining things either.

In this article, we explore what it means when you begin to notice that soft sounds like whispers or the ticking of a clock are becoming harder to hear. Many people experience the early stages of hearing loss without even realising it, often dismissing these subtle changes as a normal part of life.

We will walk you through the possible causes, why soft sounds matter more than you might think, and the practical steps you can take to assess and protect your hearing health.

The subtle clues you might have hearing loss

Hearing loss isn’t always a quick decline. For many people, it creeps in quietly, quite literally. It often starts with an inability to hear softer sounds such as the ticking of a clock, the rustling of paper, birdsong, or the gentle voice of someone speaking from another room. These are the subtle signs that your hearing may be changing.

Hearing loss doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve gone deaf or that you can’t enjoy a conversation. It often begins with high-frequency sounds fading from your hearing range. These include consonants like “s”, “f”, and “th”, which are important to understanding speech clearly. So even if you can hear someone talking, it may become harder to make out exactly what they’re saying.

Related reading:  Types of hearing loss

Why soft sounds matter

Soft sounds may not seem as important as louder ones, but they’re an essential part of how we experience the world. From a secret whisper to a soft knock on the door, they add richness to daily life. Missing them can be frustrating, but it can also affect your safety and well-being.

Imagine not hearing your phone vibrate, your oven timer beep, or a loved one calling your name softly from another room. It’s these kinds of everyday moments where early hearing loss often becomes noticeable.

Common causes of trouble hearing soft sounds

There are several potential reasons you might struggle with quiet noises:

• Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis): Age-related is the most common form of hearing loss, affecting people gradually as they get older, often starting with high-pitched and soft sounds.
• Noise-induced hearing loss: Noise induced hearing loss is long-term exposure to loud environments that can damage the sensitive hair cells in your inner ear.
• Earwax build-up: It sounds simple, but something as basic as a wax blockage can reduce your ability to hear soft sounds until it’s removed.
• Medical conditions or infections: Things like ear infections, fluid in the ear, or certain medications can temporarily or permanently impact hearing.
• Genetics or underlying health conditions: Some people are simply more prone to hearing changes, and conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease can also affect ear health.

What can you do about it?

1. Get a hearing test:  The first step is simple: book a hearing test with an audiologist. These tests are painless, quick, and incredibly informative. You’ll find out whether your hearing is within the normal range, and if not, where the issues lie. 

Many high-street hearing services offer free hearing checks, and you can also ask your GP for a referral on the NHS. Even if it turns out your hearing is fine, it’s reassuring to know.

2. Be honest about what you’re missing:  It helps to take note of specific sounds or situations you’re struggling with. Is it a soft voice? Background noise in restaurants? The more detailed you can be, the easier it is for professionals to help pinpoint what’s going on.

3. Don’t delay:  There’s a strong link between untreated hearing loss and mental health concerns such as isolation, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. It’s easy to brush off small signs like missing soft sounds, but over time, the impact grows. The earlier you seek help, the better the outcome.

Technology has come a long way

If you do have hearing loss, the solutions today are more advanced and less intrusive than ever before. Hearing aids are smaller, smarter, and more effective at amplifying only the sounds you need support with. Some can even stream audio from your phone or help reduce background noise in crowded places.

And it’s not just hearing aids, there are apps, assistive accessories, and lifestyle changes that can make a real difference.  Hearing changes are incredibly common. In the UK, around one in six adults has some form of hearing loss. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and talking about it is the first step towards better hearing and a better quality of life.

Related reading:  Hearing aid technology