First sounds that people with hearing difficulties begin to miss

By Oliver Lewis via 72Point

The first sounds people with hearing difficulties begin to lose are conversations in a busy café, cellphones ringing and a person humming.

A poll of 1,000 UK adults who experience hearing issues found the sound of raindrops or the ping of a microwave were also among the first sounds to disappear.

It also emerged that people are more likely to have a tougher time hearing a man’s voice than a woman’s as their hearing deteriorates.

Others also struggle to hear a tap dripping, a clock ticking and the doorbell.

More than one in four feel it has been hard to adapt to their hearing problem, with 49 percent admitting they were in denial about their hearing issues for a long time.

But now, 51 percent ‘would give anything’ to have their hearing back to full.

The research was commissioned by Specsavers as part of its Lost & Found campaign, which highlights how a quick simple hearing test and hearing aids can help people rediscover these lost sounds.

Of those polled 18 percent say their hearing struggles are a daily worry, while for one in five (21 percent), it is on their mind several times a week.

And on average, they have been living with their problems for more than seven years.

The research, conducted by OnePoll, also explored the tell-tale signs of hearing loss – with one in five often being asked to turn the volume of the TV down.

For 22 percent, they are regularly turning the volume up when they are speaking on the phone to someone.

A quarter frequently struggles to hear what people are saying to them, and 27 percent then find themselves having to ask them to speak louder.

Unfortunately, 63 percent admit they find situations where lots of people are trying to talk exhausting.

Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, said: “Our research shows that 59 percent of people worry about their hearing at least once a week.

"Everyone’s hearing is unique which is why it’s so important to protect your hearing especially if you’re noticing changes or are surrounded by loud noises, particularly at work.

“Not only can loud noise cause pain, tinnitus and a temporary loss of hearing, but long-term exposure to noise can also cause permanent, irreparable nerve damage, that may not show up for a number of years.

“The best thing to do is to make sure that you never listen to your music above 60 percent volume, give your ears regular breaks, and when you know you’re going to be surrounded by loud noise be sure to take hearing protection with you.

“Prevention is always best, so if you notice any changes in your hearing, make sure to get a check by your audiologist.”

THE 10 SOUNDS FIRST TO GO FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING DIFFICULTIES:

1. Conversations in a café or bar
2. Mobile phone ringing
3. A person humming
4. Phone tone dialing
5. Raindrops
6. Microwave ping
7. Fizzy drinks cans opening
8. Pedestrian crossing signal
9. Phone ringing
10. Train station announcement bongs