Are you constantly turning up the TV? Do you not hear the doorbell? Can you sometimes not follow a conversation as you can’t hear properly what others are saying? If so, you may well have a hearing loss. And this is serious – not something you should just dismiss. Hairdressers are more at risk due to occupational exposure to loud hairdryers causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Around 10 million people in the UK suffer from hearing loss (HL) – according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNIB). However, many people are completely unaware they have it. Not knowing the diagnosis and delay in seeking help can have far reaching consequences.
Could you be deaf?
Most often deafness is slow and gradual. The majority of people with HL are aged 55 and over. Most commonly, people start to become aware of HL over the age of 60.
How to know you have deafness?
The signs of deafness can be subtle and creep up on you at first. But have a think about the following –
– You keep turning up the volume on the TV remote.
– You don’t hear the doorbell when people come to call.
– You need to turn the volume of the radio or your music up.
– You can’t follow a conversation
– you need to keep asking people to repeat themselves. This may be harder in noisy places.
– You might not be able to tell in which direction a noise is coming from.
– The stress of trying hard to listen makes you feel tired.
If you recognise some of these, you are likely to have HL.
What are the health risks associated with deafness?
Deafness is linked to an increased risk of many serious medical conditions and outcomes.
Increased risk of poor balance
Many of us do not realise that our brain relies on auditory cues from the outside world as part of the system of proprioception. If we can’t hear traffic noise, or the doorbell, our brain and body cannot prepare itself for movement. If the inner ear is not working properly, this can lead to dizzy spells, and vertigo.
Increased risk of falls
Mild HL in adults aged 40-69 years, has been found to triple the risk of falls. The cochlea and the vestibule are both parts of the inner ear. The cochlea is responsible for hearing and the vestibule for balance. The most common cause of HL in adults is sensorineural HL caused by damage to the hair cells of the cochlea. However, there are many causes, but any will increase the risk of falls.
Increased risk of tinnitus
Tinnitus is experiencing a sound when there is no external stimulus producing that sound. It may be a whining, buzzing or whistling sound. Around 1 in 7 people in the UK suffer from tinnitus which can be very disabling and distressing. Tinnitus is more common among those suffering from HL. Even people with only mild HL can have extreme tinnitus.
Brain atrophy (shrinkage)
Brain scans show that those with deafness are more likely to develop atrophy (shrinkage) of the temporal lobe of the brain. Poorer hearing in the right ear is also linked to atrophy of other areas of the brain such as the hippocampus. The brain needs constant appropriate stimulation for optimal brain function, and when it does not receive these much-needed auditory stimuli, parts of it appear to shrink.
Increased risk of dementia
Mild HL doubles the risk of dementia, moderate HL triples the risk and severe HL increases the risk five times. This may be because of the link between HL and brain atrophy. However, specialists also think this may be because the brain has to work harder in terms of cognition in an attempt to maintain cognitive function. Not hearing affects the brain’s ability for cognitive reserve – this is the coping behaviour to life’s challenges. Those suffering from HL are also more likely to be socially isolated and lonely – another risk factor for dementia.
Less physical exercise
People suffering from deafness often feel less confident about physical exercise. Being less physically active increases the risk of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These affect circulation, as well as general well-being and are linked to raised brain inflammation.
Lowered quality of life
Those with deafness often have a lowered quality of life due to the impact of their poor hearing on their relationships and social functioning. They often find themselves socially isolated. They are likely to suffer from anger, frustration, stress, anxiety and depression.
Healthcare costs can occur from not hearing properly, including missing appointments and failing to understand how to take medication correctly. Poor hearing is linked to reduced productivity at work, unemployment and a lower income.
Reduced life expectancy
Studies have had conflicting results, but some have shown that HL is linked to a slightly shorter life expectancy. However, a recent 2024 study in The Lancet showed that regular use of a hearing aid reduced the risk of mortality by 24%.
Getting a hearing test
Your first step has to be arranging to have a hearing test.
No-one likes to admit they may have a hearing problem. It takes an average of 10 years for anyone to go for help! But this is such a shame as like most things, picking up hearing loss early is linked to better outcomes. You have a better chance of being able to preserve the hearing you have, and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. In one study, 71% said they wished they had gone for help with their hearing sooner.
Your GP can refer you for an NHS funded hearing test. Alternatively you can opt to pay and have a private hearing test. The hearing test will be conducted by an audiologist.
Final thoughts
The ability to hear is one of our vital senses. It’s just as important as our sight, taste, smell or touch. Hearing connects us to the world we live in. It supports our balance, growth and development, communication, cognition and our general health. Like most things in the body, we need to use it or lose it.
For so many reasons, if you suspect you may have HL, it’s time to go and get help – and the sooner the better. It can also be worthwhile to make sure you’re covered by specialist beauty insurance, which may be able to help with any medical costs or any other issues resulting from hearing loss due to your workplace!
