Hearing loss affects 18 million adults in the UK. That’s one in three.
Find out about different types of hearing loss, how hearing aids can help, and how to explain hearing loss to others.
Hearing loss
Hearing loss happens when sound signals don’t reach the brain. This is caused by a problem in the hearing system.
If hearing loss is not addressed, it can make communication harder, intensify feelings of lonliness, and decrease overall wellbeing.
Types of hearing loss
There are two main types of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent but can often be treated with hearing aids. Conductive hearing loss is usually caused by ear problems.
It’s possible to have both types, and this is known as mixed hearing loss.
Hearing loss describes a change of hearing ability, usually termed ‘mild’ hearing loss through to ‘moderate’, ‘severe’ and ‘profound’ hearing loss. However, two people with the same category of hearing loss can experience hearing loss and associated hearing problems in different ways and to different degrees.
Describing your hearing loss to others
It can be difficult to describe the experience of hearing loss to other people. This video offers a hearing loss simulation that you can show to family and friends to help explain some of the challenges.
How hearing aids can help
Hearing aids are the most common option provided to help manage hearing loss. Sometimes, hearing aids can help make tinnitus less noticeable, too.
Hearing aids come in different shapes and sizes, but all work in a similar way. They use microphones to pick up noises and adjust the sounds digitally.
Your hearing aids will be specially programmed to match the results of your hearing test.
Hearing aids can:
- make quieter sounds easier to hear
- make loud sounds more comfortable
- make conversations easier
- help you hear on the phone
- help you enjoy music, TV and the radio
- reduce general background noises.
Getting used to hearing aids
Hearing aids bring benefits to many people, but they are unable to restore natural hearing. It can also take time for people to adjust to the new sounds when they first receive and use hearing aids. People with hearing loss and hearing aids often report listening fatigue, especially at the end of a busy day.
Yet, hearing aids can be life-changing when they are used regularly. They help keep people socially active and connected to others.
Research suggests that regular hearing aid use is good for brain health, too. The sooner someone uses hearing aids to manage their hearing loss, the quicker they adjust and the greater the benefits they receive.
Key points
- Hearing loss is common, it affects one in three adults in the UK.
- Hearing loss describes a change of hearing ability, from mild to profound hearing loss.
- Hearing aids do not restore natural hearing, but they can be life-changing for people who use them regularly.