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Hearing loss
6 signs and symptoms of hearing loss
Hearing loss symptoms can differ depending on the type of hearing impairment you have.
Below are some of the most common hearing loss signs and symptoms. If you recognise any of them, we recommend booking a free hearing test at a hearing clinic near you so that we can give your hearing a thorough check.
1. Difficulty following conversations
Difficulty following conversations involving more than two people or when there’s background noise
2. Phone conversations are unclear
You have trouble following phone conversations in both quiet and noisy surroundings
3. People seem to be mumbling
You often ask people to repeat themselves. Sounds seem unclear or people sound like they are mumbling
4. Difficulty locating sounds
You have difficulty locating where sounds are coming from
5. Signs of tinnitus
You experience ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears (tinnitus)
6. Turning up the TV too loud
Your friends and family say you turn the television up too loud
Do any of these hearing loss signs and symptoms seem familiar?
If you can relate to any of the signs of hearing loss above, then it may be an indication that you have a loss of hearing.
Or perhaps you recognise these signs in someone you know, like a friend or family member who you think might be ‘hard of hearing’.
Self-assessment: Do I need a hearing test?
Just answer the four questions below to see whether you should consider getting a hearing test.
Question 1 – Around the table
Do you have trouble following conversations when there are four or more people present?
Question 2 – Family and friends
Have your family or friends suggested that you get your hearing tested?
Question 3 – Understanding what others say
Do you ever struggle to understand what others are saying because you cannot hear them properly?
Question 4 – TV or radio
Do you find yourself turning up the TV or radio, even when the volume is loud enough for others?
Your Result:
You would benefit from a hearing test
Your answers indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. We strongly recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Book your free hearing test:
Your Result:
It seems you’d benefit from a hearing test
Your answers indicate that you experience some symptoms of hearing loss. We recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Book your free hearing test:
Your Result:
It cannot be determined whether you’d benefit from a hearing test
Your answers do not indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. However, if you experience trouble hearing, we recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Book your free hearing test:
Degrees of hearing loss
The degree of hearing loss is generally categorised as being either mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
It can be measured in decibels hearing level (dB HL), referring to how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them.
Normal hearing (≤20 dB HL)
No perceived hearing loss symptoms.
Mild hearing loss (21–40 dB HL)
Soft speech is difficult to hear, especially in noisy environments.
Moderate hearing loss (41–70 dB HL)
It’s difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments or group settings.
Severe hearing loss (71–95 dB HL)
People have to speak loudly for you to hear them.
Profound hearing loss (≥95 dB HL)
Hearing is challenging in most environments.
Types of hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing impairment. It can be caused by damage to tiny hair-like cells in the inner ear or damage to the auditory nerve. Often, this type of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there are mechanical problems in the middle or outer part of the ear. It can also be caused by an obstruction of some sort in the ear canal, such as ear wax stopping sound from reaching the eardrum. It can be treated using hearing aids or other medical options.
Mixed hearing loss
When sensorineural and conductive hearing loss occur together, it’s called mixed hearing loss.
Facts about hearing loss
Hearing loss is more common than you might think.
Hearing loss is the 3rd most common health condition among adults
About 1 in 5 adults has hearing loss
On average, people with hearing loss wait 7–10 years before seeking treatment
80% of people aged 55–74 who can benefit from hearing aids do not use them
What causes hearing loss?
Understanding the source of your hearing problems can give our professionals insight into your individual needs. This means we can advise you on best options for your specific treatment. That's why we encourage you to speak with our experts as soon as you notice any hearing difficulties.
Common causes of hearing loss include:
- Ageing
- Excessive noise exposure
- Injury
- Viral infections (such as measles or mumps)
- Ear wax build-up
- Ototoxic drugs (medications that can damage your hearing)
- Genetics
Tip from our experts
If you’re looking for hearing loss treatment, the sooner you act the better.
This is key to improving your quality of life, so that you can enjoy your favourite activities again, whether you want to engage more in conversations with friends and family or simply watch your favourite TV show more easily.
Treating hearing loss
The best solution for your hearing loss will depend on your:
- Type of hearing loss
- Degree of hearing loss
- Cause of hearing loss
- Your budget
- Lifestyle, personal interests, cosmetic preferences and communication needs
Why choose Hidden Hearing?
Personalised approach
Because your hearing is as unique as your fingerprint, we deliver personalised hearing care & solutions tailored specifically to you.
Experts in hearing care
Our certified hearing care professionals conduct free, comprehensive hearing tests with same-day results.
Innovative technology
By tailoring cutting-edge hearing aids to fit your unique needs, preferences, and lifestyle, we can maximise their benefits.
Aftercare at no extra cost
As a Hidden Hearing customer, you are entitled to free batteries, adjustments, cleanings, repair services and consultations.
What happens at a hearing test?
You might be wondering what happens at a hearing test, especially if it has been a while since you last had one. Or maybe you’ve never had one.
This short video takes you through what happens, step by step.
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Audio |
Visual |
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Music What happens at a hearing test?
Here is a look at what happens at a hearing test with Hidden Hearing.
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What happens at a hearing test
Hidden Hearing logo
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Music
Our hearing professional will sit down with you to discuss your hearing concerns, Medical history and Lifestyle
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Our hearing professional will discuss Concerns History Lifestyle
Audiologist sitting with a customer
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This is followed by a physical ear exam. Your ears will be checked for ear wax and other irregularities. |
Physical ear exam
Ear wax Other irregularities
Audiologist examining customer’s ear
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Music
You will be placed in a sound booth, where you will complete a series of tone, speech and word tests
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Sounds booth
Tone, Speech & word tests
Man sitting in a sound booth taking a hearing test |
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Music Hidden Hearing goes above and beyond a baseline Hearing test by relying on the following pillars |
Baseline Hearing Test Hidden Hearing Hearing test
Histogram showing baseline hearing test and Hidden Hearing hearing test |
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Music Audiological, cognitive, psychological and subjective nuances
That’s it.
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Pillars Audiological, cognitive, psychological, subjective nuances |
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Music
Upon completion of your hearing test, you will get same day result |
Same day result
Audiologist sitting with customer |
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Music
If you have no hearing loss, great!
We recommend you test your hearing once annually if you are over 60
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No hearing loss? Great!
We recommend you test your hearing once annually if you are over 60
Man walking
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Music
If a hearing loss is detected, your hearing professional will provide you a customized hearing solution |
Hearing loss detected?
We’ll provide a customized hearing solution
Audiologist talking with customer and showing hearing aids options.
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Music A hearing test is easy and takes about 30 minutes to complete |
A hearing test is easy and takes about 30 minutes to complete
Audiologists waving goodbye at customer
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Music Book your free hearing test at Hidden Hearing today. |
Book your FREE hearing test at Hidden Hearing Today!
Hidden Hearing logo
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Get a free hearing test with one of the UK's largest hearing care specialists
1. Know what the signs of hearing loss are.
Signs of hearing loss
2. Book a free hearing test at your local clinic.
Book hearing test
3. Try a hearing aid for 60 risk-free days if we find a hearing loss.
Free, 60-day trial
4. Learn about different payment and protection plans.
Hearing aid finance
5. Hear well and live well. Receive unlimited aftercare.
Aftercare service
How to prevent hearing loss
There is no cure for loss of hearing. But there are steps you can take to prevent it and reduce your chances of developing hearing loss over the course of your lifetime.
Learn more about the ways to both protect your hearing and to keep it healthy – these could help prevent you from developing hearing loss.
FAQs about hearing loss
Sources
1. Kochkin, Sergei (2009) ”MarkeTrak VIII: 25-Year Trends in the Hearing Health Market” The Hearing Review, vol. 16, no. 11.
2. McCormack, A. & Fortnum, H. Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them? Int J Audiol. 2013 May; 52(5): 360–368.
3. Chisolm, T. H., Johnson, C. E., Danhauer, J. L., Portz, L. J. P., Abrams, H. B., Lesner, S., … Newman, C. W. (2007). A
systematic review of health-related quality of life and hearing aids: Final report of the American Academy of Audiology Task
Force on the Health-Related Quality of Life Benefits of Amplification in Adults. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology,
18(2), 151-183
4. Masterson EA, Bushnell PT, Themann CL, Morata TC. Hearing Impairment Among Noise-Exposed Workers — United States, 2003–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:389–394. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6515a2
5. Haile et al. Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet. 2021 March. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00516-X
