Hard to Hear on Zoom and Teams? Why Video Calls Are Tougher Than You Think

I struggle to hear on video calls; is there something wrong with my hearing?

Why online meetings feel harder, and what can help

Overview    |    Why video calls are harder to hear    |    Is it the call or your hearing, and can hearing aids help?    |    Conclusion and key takeaways

Last Hearing Aid UK Update:  27/10/2026

Overview

If you struggle to hear on video calls, the cause could be the technology, your hearing, or a bit of both. Video calls really are harder to follow than face-to-face conversation, so a few simple changes often help. But if you regularly miss words, ask people to repeat themselves or finish calls feeling drained, it’s worth getting your hearing checked.

In this article, we explain why video calls are harder to hear, how to tell whether the problem is the call or your hearing, simple things that might help, when to see your GP, and how hearing aids can support calls.

A free hearing test with a qualified HCPC-registered audiologist at Hearing Aid UK will show whether your hearing has changed, and you’re under no obligation afterwards.

Why video calls are harder to hear

Even with perfect hearing, an online meeting is harder work than a chat across the table:

• Compressed sound. Video call platforms squeeze audio so it travels quickly over the internet, and some of the finer detail in speech can be lost on the way.
• Small speakers. Laptop and tablet speakers are tiny and often point away from you.
• Patchy visual cues. A frozen picture, poor lighting or a slight delay between lips and voice makes lip-reading much harder.
• Other people’s background noise. Keyboards, dogs and echoey kitchens all come down the line along with the speech.

Is it the call or your hearing?

Hearing changes often start in the higher pitches, where consonants such as “s”, “f” and “th” sit. That’s why people often say they can hear that someone is talking but can’t quite make out the words. Compressed call audio can blur those same sounds, so the two problems stack on top of each other. A useful test is whether the difficulty follows you off screen.

The NHS lists the common signs of hearing loss as including difficulty hearing on the phone, finding it hard to keep up with a conversation, and feeling tired or stressed from concentrating while listening. If video calls are just one of several situations where you’re straining, your hearing may be part of the picture, and you wouldn't be alone.

RNID estimates that over 18 million adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, around 1 in 3 adults. 

"If you can hear that someone’s talking on a call but can’t quite catch the words, that’s worth checking. Sometimes it’s the technology. Sometimes it’s an early change in your hearing. A free hearing test will tell you which."

Paul Harrison, Audiology Expert & Founder, Hearing Aid UK

Simple things that might help

• Use headphones rather than laptop speakers. They bring the sound closer and shut out the room around you.
• Turn on live captions. Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet all offer captions, so you have a written backup when a word slips past.
• Pin the speaker’s video and ask for cameras on. Clear, well-lit faces make a real difference.
• Check your connection. A wired connection, or sitting closer to your router, can reduce choppy audio.

When to get your hearing checked

See your GP first if the change came on suddenly, affects only one ear, or comes with pain, discharge, dizziness or a blocked feeling. These can have other causes, such as an ear infection or earwax build-up.

If your hearing seems to have changed gradually, a hearing test is the simplest next step. At Hearing Aid UK, the test is free and carried out in person by one of our HCPC-registered audiologists, either at a local hearing clinic or during a free home visit. We have over 200 audiologists across 93+ clinics, so there’s usually someone nearby.

If your hearing is fine, you’ll know it’s the calls. If it has changed, your audiologist will talk you through your results and your options, with no pressure to buy anything.

How hearing aids can help on calls

If hearing aids are recommended, many modern models offer Bluetooth, so call audio can be streamed straight into both ears instead of coming through a speaker.

Some connect directly to a phone, tablet or computer, while others need a small accessory to work with a laptop. It’s worth telling your audiologist how much time you spend on video calls so they can suggest options that suit the way you work.

Hearing Aid UK supplies and professionally fits hearing aids from all the leading manufacturers, with no manufacturer bias. Every hearing aid is fitted and fine-tuned in person by a qualified audiologist, and the price includes your hearing test, fitting and aftercare for life.

Conclusion

Struggling to hear on video calls is common, and it isn’t always down to your hearing. Headphones, captions and better camera habits fix a lot. But if calls are one of several situations where you’re straining, a free hearing test is a calm, no-obligation way to find out what’s going on.

Call us free on 0800 567 7621 or book your free hearing test at a local clinic or in your own home. We’re Which? recommended and trusted by over 31,000 customers. If you go ahead with hearing aids, our 60-day money-back guarantee covers you.

Key takeaways

✔️ Video calls compress sound and strip out visual cues, so they’re harder for everyone.

✔️ Headphones, live captions and a pinned speaker view are quick wins.

✔️ If you also struggle on the phone or in group conversations, your hearing may have changed.

✔️ See your GP first for sudden changes, hearing loss in one ear, pain or dizziness.

✔️ A free hearing test with an HCPC-registered audiologist gives you a clear answer, at a clinic or at home.