What Are the 5 Signs You Need a Hearing Test?
At Hearing Sound, nobody is on a clock. Your appointment takes as long as it needs to, whether that's talking through a concern properly or just having a chat before we get started. If you keep asking people to repeat themselves, turn the TV up louder than others need it, struggle in noisy places, find phone calls hard to follow, or have started avoiding social situations, these are the five signs worth booking a hearing test for.
Key takeaways
Hearing loss usually develops gradually, so the signs are easy to dismiss
The five signs to watch for are repeating conversations, raising the volume, struggling in noise, phone difficulty, and social withdrawal
Testing frequency depends on age: every 3 to 5 years under 50, every 2 to 3 years from 50 to 60, and annually from 60
We see patients for hearing tests at both our Coalville and Shepshed clinics
Hearing loss rarely happens overnight, it tends to creep in so gradually that it is easy to explain away. It is estimated that over 18 million adults in the UK have some degree of hearing loss, yet many people wait years before getting checked. Here are the five signs worth paying attention to.
Are You Often Asking People to Repeat Themselves?
If "sorry, what was that?" or "can you say that again?" have become regular phrases in your day, this is one of the clearest early signs. It is easy to blame mumbling or a noisy room, but if it keeps happening with the same people in familiar settings, it is worth paying attention to.
Do You Turn the TV or Radio Up Louder Than Others?
Needing the television or radio louder than family or friends are comfortable with is something we hear about often. It tends to creep in so gradually that people only notice when someone else points it out, or when a volume that used to feel fine no longer does.
Do You Struggle to Follow Conversations in Noisy Places?
Restaurants, family gatherings, and busy shops all put extra strain on your hearing. If you find it hard to pick individual voices out from background noise, or you rely more on lip reading and context to keep up, this can be a sign of hearing change, even if your hearing seems fine in quiet settings.
Is It Hard to Hear Clearly on the Phone?
Phone calls remove visual cues like lip movements and facial expressions, so they can be one of the first places hearing changes become noticeable. If you regularly ask callers to repeat themselves, or you have started avoiding calls in favour of texting, it is worth having your hearing checked.
Have You Started Avoiding Social Situations?
Some people gradually withdraw from gatherings, groups, or noisy venues without fully realising why. One patient told us she had quietly stopped going to her regular quiz night, not because she had lost interest, but because keeping up with the questions over background chatter had become too tiring to enjoy. If keeping up with conversation feels tiring or frustrating, avoiding social situations can start to feel easier than struggling through them.
How Common Is Hearing Loss in the UK?
Hearing loss is far more common than most people realise, and it becomes significantly more likely with age. Age related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is thought to affect around 40% of people over 50 in the UK. Because it develops slowly, many people do not notice it happening until it has been affecting them for some time.
Why We Would Encourage You Not to Ignore These Signs
Untreated hearing loss has been linked to social isolation and increased cognitive strain, and the earlier it is identified, the easier it is to manage. Many people wait until their hearing affects a specific moment, such as missing part of an important conversation or feeling embarrassed at a family event, before deciding to book a test. We always encourage acting on the signs above rather than waiting for a moment like that, because it gives you more options while there is still time to use them.
Age group | Recommended testing frequency |
Under 50, no concerns | Baseline test, then every 3 to 5 years |
50 to 60 | Every 2 to 3 years, even if hearing feels fine |
Over 60 | Annually |
If any of the five signs above sound familiar, regardless of your age, it is worth booking a hearing test rather than waiting for your next scheduled check. A test does not commit you to anything, it simply gives you a clear picture of where your hearing stands, so you can decide what, if anything, to do next.
What Happens During a Hearing Test With Us
A hearing test with us is simple, painless, and unhur
ried. Your appointment will generally include a conversation about your hearing concerns, lifestyle and any relevant medical history, a physical examination of your ears to check for wax or other blockages, a pure-tone hearing assessment where you listen for a range of tones through headphones, and a clear explanation of your results, with no pressure to take things further if you are just there for peace of mind.
Hearing Sound is a small, family run practice, founded by Sarah Bardill after she became frustrated working at a national chain, where limited appointment time made it hard to really get to know patients or recommend what actually suited them. Nina, our Hearing Care Assistant, brings almost twenty years of experience, and Anne looks after our administration with a background in NHS admin roles. Between the three of us, every patient gets the time they actually need, not just the time a schedule allows for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there somewhere to get a hearing test near Coalville or Shepshed?
Yes. We see patients at both our Coalville and Shepshed clinics, as well as across Whitwick, Loughborough, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and the wider surrounding area.
Do I need to be referred by a doctor to book a hearing test?
No referral is needed to book a private hearing test with us. You can book directly with the clinic.
How long does a hearing test take?
We keep appointments unhurried, with time built in for a proper conversation about your concerns as well as the assessment itself.
What happens if the test shows I have some hearing loss?
We will talk you through your results and any options available, with no obligation to proceed with anything on the day.
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