Overview
- A survey of 1,810 people never diagnosed with hearing loss found 47% struggle to hear leaves rustling, 46% a name called from another room, and 43% nearby rainfall.
- Around four in ten reported difficulty clearly hearing a cyclist’s bell (42%), a knock at the door (40%), or a phone ringing in a nearby room (39%).
- RNID is promoting a free online hearing check that takes about three minutes and provides immediate results.
- Audiologist Ryan Reid highlights six early warning signs: turning up the TV, asking for repeats, saying others mumble, difficulty in noisy settings, frequent mishearing, and withdrawing socially.
- RNID’s Crystal Rolfe says hearing loss can occur at any age due to ageing, loud noise, injury or infection, and that interventions such as hearing aids can restore everyday sounds and reduce isolation.