Struggling to follow conversations in a noisy room can be more than just frustrating, it’s often one of the first signs of hearing loss. Because hearing loss usually develops so gradually, you may not notice the changes at first.
Struggling to follow conversations in a noisy room can be more than just frustrating, it’s often one of the first signs of hearing loss. Because hearing loss usually develops so gradually, you may not notice the changes at first.
Sensorineural hearing loss, or SNHL for short, is the most common type. We go into the full picture in What causes hearing loss?, but here’s a quick summary of the main contributing factors:
If you are noticing difficulty hearing speech clearly in noisy environments, it is possible you have a hearing loss.
There are a few common signs that you may be experiencing hearing loss. You might find yourself turning to face whoever’s speaking, or relying on their lips and expressions to fill in the gaps, especially in noisy environments. In a group setting, with several people talking at once, this becomes even harder, trying to follow the conversation and read lips at the same time takes real concentration, and that effort can leave you feeling drained.
You might start avoiding noisy environments and social events altogether if hearing in background noise becomes a real struggle. Even a family gathering around a busy dinner table can start to feel isolating.
Struggling to hear in background noise can lead some people to withdraw from social situations, and that isolation can take a real toll. Over time, feelings of loneliness can build, and in some cases, this can contribute to depression.
Untreated hearing loss has also been linked to a higher risk of dementia, one more reason it’s worth getting checked sooner rather than later. You can read more about that connection in Hearing loss and dementia.
Some of the other effects hearing loss can have on your wellbeing include:
Something as simple as a regular hearing check can help you catch hearing loss early, so you and your audiologist can find the right support for you, sooner. If hearing loss is identified, modern hearing aids can help you filter out background noise and focus on what matters to you, and if you’d like to explore your options first, we’ve put together a guide to the best hearing aids for seniors.
It’s worth getting your hearing assessed regularly, both to make sure you’re hearing as well as you can, and to help your audiologist track any changes over time. We can help you get back to enjoying social situations, regardless of the background noise.
If you’re worried about your own hearing, or that of someone you care about, call our Dedicated Patient Support team on 0800 52 00 546 to book an appointment with your audiologist. If it’s a loved one you’re concerned about, starting that conversation isn’t always easy, our guide on how to talk to someone about their hearing loss can help. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online.