Hearing loss: six subtle signs doctors say you should not ignore

A UK RNID survey of 1,810 people found many undiagnosed hearing issues, and audiologists identified six subtle signs—raising TV volume, asking people to repeat, hearing mumbling, struggling in noisy places, mishearing words, and withdrawing socially.

Hearing loss often progresses slowly, so early signs can be easy to miss. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has promoted a free online hearing check after a recent survey highlighted undiagnosed problems. The poll covered 1,810 people who had not been diagnosed with hearing loss and found many reported difficulty hearing everyday sounds. In response, audiologists and clinic staff outlined six subtle signs that they say people should not overlook. Key findings: - The RNID poll of 1,810 people reported that 47% would struggle to hear leaves rustling, 46% would have difficulty hearing their name called from another room, and 43% said they could not clearly hear nearby rainfall. - The same survey found around 42% might not hear a cyclist ringing a bell, 40% might miss someone knocking at a door, and 39% could miss a phone ringing in a nearby room. - One common sign is repeatedly turning the TV volume up, which family members often notice before the person does. - Regularly asking people to repeat themselves and saying others seem to be mumbling are cited as common coping indicators; clinicians note that age-related hearing loss often affects high-frequency consonants first. - Struggling to follow conversations in noisy environments such as cafes or restaurants can cause the brain to work harder and lead to listening fatigue, according to clinicians. - Frequently mishearing words and beginning to withdraw from social activities are additional behavioral signs reported by audiologists. Summary: Early changes in hearing can be subtle and may show up as altered listening habits, difficulty with specific sounds, or social withdrawal. Health groups such as the RNID are promoting screening tools, and audiologists say earlier recognition of these signs can bring benefits; what happens next will depend on individual follow-up and professional assessment.