Untreated hearing loss can significantly affect a person’s health and quality of life. Hearing loss can lead to social isolation and loneliness, while factors such as being no longer able to hear music or natural sounds can negatively affect mental, emotional and physical health.
Additionally, being unable to hear sounds such as smoke alarms increases accident risk.
Despite this, many are either unaware of their hearing loss, while others are unaware of the importance of ear health and routine tests. Some may avoid seeking treatment altogether.
Why People Avoid Hearing Tests
Accessibility
Some avoid hearing tests due to difficulty with accessibility. This may be due to geographical barriers, travel restrictions (such as not being able to drive) or physical disabilities, although many audiology services offer at-home tests.
Cost
While private care offers a wider range of device options, these tend to be more expensive. Hearing aids are available on the NHS, albeit with comparatively longer waiting times, something UK charity RNID is working to reduce, along with suggestions on how to manage this.
Awareness
In a 2023 survey, 65% of people claimed never to have had a hearing test, despite 68% exhibiting potential symptoms of hearing loss. 13% assumed they were too young to experience hearing loss. While the majority tend to be older adults, hearing loss can affect people of all ages.
Common Causes of Hearing Loss
- Prolonged exposure to noise from workplaces, music (live or recorded)
- Use of loud machinery such as power tools or lawn mowers
- Excessive ear wax or infections
- Head injuries
- Side-effects due to certain medications
- Hereditary/genetic factors
Stigma
Discrimination against older and disabled people is a major social issue, often worsening any feelings of undue shame people may feel about their conditions and creating barriers to much-needed support.
Fear of the Unknown
Scare stories from others with negative past experiences of hearing tests, or assumptions about what they involve can also be a barrier to receiving treatment. In most cases, fears tend to emerge from what we don’t know.
What to Expect
One solution to this is to find out more; in this case, about what a hearing test involves. Hearing tests tend to last for about 30 minutes. It’s a pain-free procedure carried out in a soundproof room to block out background noise.
During the test, the patient listens to short tones played through earphones at varying pitches and volumes; anything above 25 decibels is considered as hearing loss, upon which the patient may be referred to an ear nose and throat doctor or an audiologist for further consultation. Treatments and recommendations for hearing loss include:
- Hearing aids
- Training in lip reading
- to help make things like phone calls easier
- Use of earplugs in noisy environments to prevent further hearing loss
- Hearing implants (devices fitted under general anaesthetic)
Many people feel deterred by the thought of wearing large, conspicuous hearing aids. The reality is that modern devices are not only more discreet; they also function better.
Endnote
Early detection of hearing loss can help to identify underlying health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while also preventing cognitive decline. Greater awareness of hearing health could not only help reduce stigma, it could encourage more people to get tests that could potentially improve, and even save lives.
