I struggle to hear on public transport

Q: What is the best hearing aid model for me?

In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the hearing aid model that best suits your needs . Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case. Audiologist's level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids ; however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and, therefore, may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you. Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need? Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it. You can read our best hearing aids of this year here

Q: What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference, as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid , then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most, a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly, then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind-the-Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer's warranty when it comes to replacing the battery.

Q: Are Behind-the-Ear hearing aids better than In-the-Ear hearing aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore, open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore, in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However, the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age-old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid , as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

Q: What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex, and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low, and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies . The range of sounds you hear is split into frequency bands or channels, and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels, and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six-channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at; it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One manufacturer has no channels at all.

Q: What's covered in a manufacturer's warranty?

Manufacturer's warranties typically last between 2-5 years, depending on the brand and model, and cover defects in materials and workmanship. This includes repairs for component failures, electronic malfunctions, and manufacturing defects, but excludes damage from misuse, accidents, or normal wear. Most manufacturers also include loss and damage insurance for the first year. We handle all warranty claims on your behalf, liaising with manufacturers and ensuring you get replacement devices quickly when needed. This comprehensive warranty coverage, combined with our lifetime aftercare, gives you complete peace of mind. Find out more about our warranty cover here

Q: How much does the hearing test cost?

Our hearing tests are completely free, whether at our clinics or in your home . Unlike other providers who charge £30-£100 for home visits , we believe hearing healthcare should be accessible without financial barriers. Our comprehensive assessments include examination by an HCPC-registered audiologist , audiogram results, and personalised recommendations. All testing, future adjustments, and ongoing support are included at no extra cost. While NHS tests are also free, typical 6-week waiting periods often lead people to seek immediate private testing. We provide prompt, professional assessments that fit your schedule and budget.

Q: Do you offer home visits, and are they included in the price?

Yes, we offer completely free home visits throughout the UK, and this service is included in our prices with no additional charges. Home visits are particularly valuable for people with mobility issues, busy schedules, or those who simply prefer the comfort and convenience of their own environment. Our audiologists can conduct full hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and provide ongoing support in your home. This service sets us apart from many providers who either don't offer home visits or charge extra for them.

Q: Why are your hearing aids cheaper than what I'd pay on the high street?

We can offer prices up to 40% lower than high street retailers because of our business model. As a network of 200+ independent audiologists , we don't have the massive overheads of large retail chains - no expensive high street premises, no sales targets pushing audiologists to sell the most expensive options, and no costly marketing campaigns. However, we maintain the same buying power as the big chains because we purchase on behalf of our entire nationwide network. This means you get access to the same premium hearing aids with professional service, but at genuinely competitive prices.

Q: How long do I have to try the hearing aids before committing to keep them?

We offer a comprehensive 60-day money-back guarantee, which gives you twice the industry standard time to properly assess whether your hearing aids are right for you. This extended period recognises that adjusting to hearing aids takes time, and your brain needs several weeks to adapt to the amplified sounds. Unlike many providers who offer just 30 days, we believe 60 days gives you the confidence to test your hearing aids in all the situations that matter to you - from quiet conversations at home to busy restaurants and outdoor activities.

Q: Can I really buy hearing aids online without visiting a clinic first? Why can't I do this with your company?

While some companies do sell hearing aids online without professional involvement, we don't offer this service because we genuinely believe it's not in your best interests. Hearing aids aren't like buying glasses online - they require professional assessment, precise programming to your specific hearing loss pattern, and proper fitting to work effectively. Through our network of over 200 qualified independent audiologists across the UK, we ensure you receive a proper hearing test, expert guidance on the right device for your needs, and professional fitting. This approach means you're far more likely to be satisfied with your hearing aids and actually use them regularly.

I think I might have hearing loss because I've stopped using public transport

Avoiding buses and trains isn't a small thing. Here's why it happens, and what it might mean

Overview | Why public transport can be tricky | What the research shows | Should you get your hearing tested? | Conclusion and key takeaways

Last Hearing Aid UK Update: 27/07/2026

Overview

If you've quietly started avoiding the bus, train or tube, not because you dislike travelling, but because you're straining to hear announcements, drivers or fellow passengers have become exhausting to hear, that avoidance could be a sign of hearing loss, and it's an easy connection to miss.

Most people expect hearing loss to show up as "not being able to hear," but for a lot of people the first real sign is behavioural: they simply stop doing the things that have become too hard to manage. Public transport, with its background noise, muffled tannoy announcements and unpredictable acoustics, are a few of the more common hurdles.

If you've noticed yourself planning routes to avoid the bus, dreading train journeys, deciding to drive more, or feeling relieved when a lift becomes available instead, it's worth understanding why, and what a free hearing test could tell you.

Why public transport becomes so hard to manage

Buses, trains and stations are some of the most acoustically difficult environments most of us encounter regularly. Engine noise, announcements played through tinny speakers, echo in stations, and conversations held over the top of all of it, it's a lot for anyone's ears to process, and considerably more for ears that are already struggling.

Over time, that low-level stress adds up. It's far easier to arrange a lift, drive instead, or simply go out less than to keep facing that same anxiety journey after journey. This is avoidance, not preference, and it's one of the clearer signs that hearing loss is affecting daily life rather than just being a minor inconvenience.

What RNID's research shows

RNID's own research into public transport and hearing loss backs up how widespread this experience is. In a 2025 survey, RNID found that only 65% of people would offer help to someone wearing a hearing aid on public transport, for example if they appeared to miss an announcement, compared with 83% who would help a wheelchair user, 80% who would help an older person, and 79% who would help someone who was pregnant.

Around 1 in 5 people said they would actively avoid someone who is deaf or has hearing loss on public transport altogether. RNID has since launched a dedicated research project, funded by the Motability Foundation, looking specifically at public transport accessibility for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.

Their early findings point to inaccessible audio announcements, inconsistent deaf awareness among staff, and a lack of visual or signed information as some of the everyday barriers that lead to stress, missed journeys, and people avoiding public transport altogether.

Other signs to watch for

Avoiding public transport rarely happens in isolation. Alongside it, you might also notice yourself:

Asking people to repeat themselves more often, particularly when there's background noise, or you can't see someone's face clearly.
Feeling drained after busy or noisy outings, even short ones, because you've been concentrating hard just to keep up.
Saying no to invitations if they involve getting somewhere new, because working out an unfamiliar station or route on your own feels like too much.
Preferring text messages or emails to phone calls, because you don't have to strain to catch every word.

What's actually happening

Hearing loss typically affects your ability to pick out speech from background noise long before it affects your ability to hear sound at all. This is sometimes called a "speech in noise" difficulty, and it's exactly the kind of listening environment that buses, trains and stations create almost constantly.

Tannoy announcements are a particular problem because they combine several difficult factors at once: reduced clarity from the speaker system, background engine or crowd noise, and no opportunity to lip-read or ask for repetition. It's not that you're not paying attention; it's that the sound reaching you is genuinely harder to decode than it is for people around you.

This is also why avoidance can creep up so gradually. Each small adjustment, taking the car instead, asking a friend to check the announcement, sitting near the front so you can see the driver, feels reasonable on its own. It's only when you notice the pattern that it becomes clear how much you've been working around.

Should you get your hearing tested?

If you've found yourself avoiding public transport, particularly alongside any of the other signs above, it's worth getting your hearing checked. A hearing test will give you a professional picture of what's happening and whether hearing loss is playing a part.

"People often tell us they've 'just stopped bothering' with the bus or train, and assume that's simply a lifestyle choice. In our experience, avoidance like this is one of the more reliable signs that someone's hearing needs attention, often more reliable than the symptoms people expect, like general volume loss. It's worth having it checked out properly rather than assuming it's just how things are now."

Paul Harrison, HCPC-registered audiologist and founder of Hearing Aid UK

Conclusion

If hearing loss turns out to be part of the picture, it doesn't mean public transport has to stay off-limits. Modern hearing aids are designed specifically to help with exactly this kind of environment, automatically adjusting to background noise and making announcements and speech easier to pick out from everything else going on around you.

More importantly, getting it checked means you're no longer guessing. Whether it turns out to be hearing-related or something else entirely, you'll have a clear answer.

All our hearing tests are carried out by HCPC-registered audiologists, come with aftercare for life if you do need hearing aids, and are backed by our 60-day money-back guarantee and Which? recommendation, so there's no pressure and nothing to lose by finding out.

Key takeaways

Stopping public transport because it's become too stressful is a genuine, well-documented sign of hearing loss, not just a change in habits.
RNID's research found only 65% of people would help someone wearing a hearing aid on public transport, and 1 in 5 would avoid them altogether, so this experience is far more common than it feels.
It's usually not about volume. Announcements, background noise and no chance to ask for repetition all make speech harder to follow, even when hearing seems "fine" elsewhere.
Watch for it showing up alongside other things too: avoiding phone calls, feeling drained after outings, or asking people to repeat themselves more than you used to.
A free hearing test with a qualified audiologist costs nothing, commits you to nothing, and gives you a clear answer either way.

Whatever's behind your hearing changes, it's worth getting them checked

Not sure what to expect?

When you get in touch, you'll speak with someone who can answer your questions and arrange a free hearing test if you decide you'd like one.

The test is free, the advice is impartial, and there's no obligation to buy anything. Call us free on 0800 567 7621 or book your free hearing test online.

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