Family gatherings and social get togethers over the Christmas period are a prime time to identify hearing problems and results in a peak of audiology tests and hearing instrument purchases in the New Year.
Hearing loss is a gradual and painless problem that can happen at any age. In contrast to dental or eyesight health, most people rarely get their hearing tested and deterioration often goes unnoticed.
It is during social interactions, often more frequent at Christmas time, that other people notice hearing issues. For example, constantly being asked to repeat sentences, ignorance during conversations, speech deterioration and gradual withdrawal are all signs that someone may have a problem that needs investigating.
"Watching the Christmas day movie at full volume, constant repetition of conversations around the dinner table and not hearing the rustlings of wrapping paper are early warning signs that a family member may have a mild or moderate hearing loss," states Wendy Davies, Head of Audiology at Siemens Hearing Instruments.
Other hearing health warning signs to look out for include:
- Giving the wrong answers to questions
- Ignoring people
- Constantly saying ‘what’ or ‘pardon’
- Loud volumes on television or radio
- Difficulty in following conversations where there is background music
- Character changes such as isolation and withdrawal from social interaction
- Not hearing the telephone or doorbell ringing
The advice to individuals or family members that notice a potential hearing issue is to either go and see a GP or arrange a test at a high street facility. This will give specialist advice and rules out ear wax, infections and other medical conditions.
"If hearing issues are not addressed early enough speech problems can start to develop as the repetition of sounds start to deteriorate, plus social confidence can be knocked and people start to withdraw into themselves. This can then take its toll on an individual in working and social situations," continues Wendy.
"Hearing loss still has stigma attached to it being an old age or disabling condition, which puts people off doing anything about it. However, glasses are worn for eyesight issues and braces for dental work, so why should a hearing aid cause embarrassment? The design and size of devices are now so much more discrete than perhaps people perceive, or can be fun to match outfit colours. The message is to live out loud, not fall silent."