These are the most frustrating challenges for people with hearing difficulties

By Steve Richmond, 72Point via SWNS

The most frustrating challenges for those with hearing difficulties include misunderstanding what people say, having to ask others to repeat themselves and being told to turn the TV down.

Research into 2,000 adults found 22 percent believe their hearing is poor and miss key parts of conversations, hearing someone on the phone and feel they irritate others.

While 81 percent of those with hearing issues have missed their phone ringing entirely.

But seven in 10 have put up with the issues as long as they can remember - with eight in 10 fearing it’s too late to do anything about the deterioration.

Gordon Harrison chief audiologist at Specsavers, who commissioned the research, said: “The figures clearly show how a decline in your hearing can have a serious impact on your life.

“Often hearing can decline over a long period of time so it can creep up on people without really noticing, until there’s an obvious problem.

“That’s not to say they shouldn’t seek help, as there are many ways to help improve your hearing.

“But it seems as though there may be a lack of understanding on how to protect yourself from the damaging long-term effects of loud noise, and how to improve your situation if you are struggling.”

It also emerged 82 percent of those with hearing difficulties believe their issues have impacted their quality of life.

And according to 39 percent, the deterioration has been a very gradual process.

But 79 percent admit they often feel left out because of their difficulties.

It also emerged 45 percent of all adults fear a hearing decline, yet 32 percent of those with children don’t encourage their children to look after theirs while they are young.

Of the 44 percent that do, they encourage them to turn their music down, take regular breaks when exposed to loud noise and avoid using cotton buds.

Nearly half (45 percent) also admitted to ignoring warnings on smartphones about listening to music too loudly.

And only 13 percent have had a hearing test this year, with the average test taking place every three-and-a-half years.

However, a third of those polled, via OnePoll, have never had a test at all.

“It’s worth having your hearing checked if you notice a change in your hearing, no matter what your age," Harrison said.

“For those who are struggling, a hearing test can provide a real insight into the problem while providing solutions, which could significantly improve an individual's quality of life.

“It’s definitely well worth getting your hearing checked regularly, to make sure you can continue to enjoy life to the fullest.”

Top 20 Hearing Frustrations:

1. Asking people to repeat themselves
2. Finding it difficult to hear someone talking on the phone
3. Missing key parts of conversations with friends/family
4. The feeling that people are getting frustrated with me because I can’t hear properly
5. Missing entire conversations because of background noise (like being in a noisy pub)
6. Misunderstanding what people say completely
7. People telling you to turn the TV down
8. Struggling to hear when talking to someone with a particular accent
9. Turning the TV/radio up really loudly
10. Feeling anxious about the prospect of missing something important
11. A constant ringing in the ears
12. Not knowing where certain sounds are coming from
13. Struggling to hear my favorite music
14. Watching the TV with subtitles
15. Avoiding events and conversations to reduce the risk of not hearing properly
16. Missing announcements on public transport
17. Having to try to lipread
18. Feeling exhausted after attending social events, known as listening fatigue
19. Not being able to hear birds song
20. Missing out on concerts