Ever found yourself struggling to follow conversations with your friends and family, or turning your head to catch someone’s voice during a dinner? If so, you’re not alone. You might be experiencing a common hearing issue that sneaks up on many Australians over 50.
Specsavers research shows that nearly one in three Aussies aged 50+ are worried about their hearing, yet most haven’t taken the first step: a hearing check.
According to Specsavers Senior Audiologist Kathryn Launchbury, the signs of hearing loss are often subtle at first, but they can have a big impact on everyday life.
“Hearing loss can happen so gradually that people don’t always notice. You might find yourself saying ‘pardon?’ more often, or avoiding group catch-ups because background noise makes conversations harder to follow,” she says.
What are some early signs of hearing loss?
- You ask others to repeat themselves.
- Conversations are harder to follow in noisy places.
- The TV volume keeps creeping up.
- You feel like people are mumbling.
Common things people do to ‘cope’
Many people adapt without realising - lip reading, nodding along, or stepping back from social situations. Kathryn says these workarounds can mask a change that’s worth investigating.
“We hear from people who say they didn’t realise how much they were missing until they tried hearing aids, suddenly, everything feels sharper and more connected.”
So, if you’ve been wondering whether your hearing is keeping up with your lifestyle, it might be time to find out.
- Featured
- Healthy Body