If you’ve been struggling to hear over noisy kids, dinner table conversations and the clatter of pots and pans in the washing-up bowl, let 2020 be the year you take care of your ears.
Hearing loss is more common than you might think but because it can happen so gradually, ear problems can go unnoticed for a long time. That’s why it’s important to get regular hearing check-ups – just the same as you would with the doctor, dentist and optician.
It’s estimated that by 2035, 1 in 5 people will experience hearing problems – that’s 15.6 million people – so you’re not alone.
Turn down the volume
Hearing loss isn’t just something that happens to the elderly. According to the Worldwide Health Organisation (WHO, over a billion young people worldwide are at risk of developing hearing problems because of listening to their devices unsafely.
Did you know that listening to your headphones on full volume (which could be 105 dB or even louder) is only safe for 5 minutes a day? So be sure to turn down your volume to around the 60% mark to get up to 8 hours of safe listening. That’s something to think about if you’re turning up the music at the gym or maxing out the TV volume to watch your favourite movies.
Your New Year’s resolutions
With the holidays over and the only dark winter nights to look forward to, January and February can often be quite dismal months. We might not go out as much, see fewer friends and can end up being a bit isolated while trying to cut down on spending, calories and alcohol.
Hearing loss can lead to further social isolation, depression, anxiety and even dementia due to not being able to interact as well in conversations and feeling left out in social situations.
The good news is that you can reduce the risk and impact of dementia by having your hearing checked today. With a proper diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, you can reduce the risk of future health problems and improve your day-to-day, simply by getting a hearing aid.
Make your new year’s resolution to take care of your hearing and prevent any further problems as a result of your ear health. You can start by having a look at our range of hearing aids and getting up to date with the amazing new technologies on offer.
Symptoms to look out for
If you’re suffering from any of the following symptoms, now’s the time to book a free hearing test:
- Difficulty making out what people are saying clearly and relying on lip reading – especially if you’re talking in a group
- Needing to turn up the volume for TV/music higher than other people or needing to use subtitles
- Having problems telling what direction noises are coming from
- Feeling tired or stressed because of having to concentrate so hard on listening
- Always asking people to repeat themselves during conversations or to speak more slowly
- Missing phone calls or the doorbell because you couldn’t hear them ring
- Struggling to understand conversations when there’s a lot of background noise
Get in touch
Book your appointment now, over the phone on 0800 52 00 546, online or at your local practice. We’ll be able to offer you the best ear care advice, a wide range of hearing aids and a full hearing care package, so your hearing will be one less thing to worry about for the new decade!