Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss — often called "loss of hearing" in everyday speech — usually progresses slowly, and the person affected is often the last to notice. If a few of these signs sound familiar, a free test is a good place to start.
Early warning signs
- Turning the TV up to a volume the rest of the household finds uncomfortable
- Often asking people to repeat themselves ("sorry?", "can you say that again?")
- Struggling to follow conversation in a crowded setting
- Struggling on phone calls
- Not hearing high-pitched sounds like a doorbell or birdsong
- Speaking loudly without realising it
What the people around you notice
With hearing loss, it's often the family who takes the first step: "Dad has the TV too loud" and "Mum doesn't hear what we say" are the most common reasons people come to us. If you notice this change in someone close to you, convincing them to take a free test is one of the most valuable things you can do for them.
Degrees of hearing loss
| Degree | Approximate range | In daily life |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 26-40 dB | You miss whispers and distant speech |
| Moderate | 41-55 dB | Following normal conversation becomes harder |
| Moderate-severe | 56-70 dB | You don't understand unless someone speaks loudly |
| Severe | 71-90 dB | You can only hear a raised, shouting voice |
| Profound | Above 90 dB | Speech sounds aren't heard |
Where your result falls on this scale is something we look at together after the test. 26 dB is where mild loss begins.
Eligibility for SGK support isn't decided from a single decibel value alone; age, the test method, and whether the device is prescribed for one or both ears all affect the outcome. The final decision comes from an authorised health institution's report — details on our SGK page.
Types of loss
Conductive: Sound is blocked in the outer or middle ear (earwax, fluid buildup, eardrum issues). Some of these can improve with treatment. Sensorineural: Wear on the cells of the inner ear; most age-related loss falls into this group and is supported with a hearing aid. Mixed: A combination of both. The test shows which one applies to you.
When should you see a specialist?
Don't wait if symptoms have lasted a few weeks. See an ENT specialist without delay if hearing loss is sudden, affects only one ear, or comes with pain or discharge. For slow, age-related loss, the first step is simple: get our free hearing test — if you're curious about what happens in the test, come in and we'll go over the result together. If you also have ringing in your ears, read our tinnitus page. If the loss is only in one ear, see our single-sided hearing loss and CROS page. If you have concerns about your child, see our hearing in children page.
Signs differ in adults and older age
In middle age, loss often builds up from a noisy workplace, loud music through headphones, or past ear infections; people first struggle in crowded meetings and on the phone. In older age, the most common picture is presbycusis: age-related wear on the inner ear. High-pitched sounds (women's and children's voices, birdsong, a bell) go first; people say "I can hear but I can't understand" — because it's clarity, not loudness, that's gone. In both cases, the solution starts the same way: a hearing test.
If the people around you are saying these things
- "The TV is too loud"
The most common complaint at home; the person themselves doesn't notice it.
- "I told you three times"
How often you have to repeat yourself is the most reliable everyday sign of loss.
- "Didn't you hear the doorbell / phone?"
High-pitched, high-frequency sounds are the first to go.
- "You're shouting"
People raise their own voice without realising it, because they hear themselves less.
If these sentences have become part of daily life at home, the right time for a test may already be passing. The easiest way to convince someone close to you is to come along together — our test is free and takes less than half an hour.
The road to a hearing aid: 3 steps
1) Free test: Your hearing is measured frequency by frequency at our branch; we go over the result together. 2) ENT approval: For SGK support you need a health board report from a hospital — we guide you on which hospital to go to (details on our SGK page). 3) Choosing a device: We decide together on the device type suited to your loss and lifestyle , fit it to your ear, and stay with you through the adjustment period.
Frequently asked questions
Turning the TV up more than before, often asking people to repeat themselves, not catching words in a crowd, struggling on the phone, and thinking people are mumbling are common signs. An ear exam and hearing test are needed for a definite answer.
The hearing test and initial assessment are free at our branches. Where a medical diagnosis, treatment or SGK report is needed, you'll need to see an authorised health institution with an ENT specialist. The measurement at our centre doesn't replace an official hospital report.
It depends on the cause. Conductive loss from earwax, fluid in the middle ear, or some infections can improve with treatment. Most inner-ear loss is permanent and is supported with solutions like a hearing aid. If your hearing drops suddenly, don't wait for it to pass on its own — see an ENT specialist urgently.
Yes. Single-sided hearing loss can make it harder to locate sound direction and understand speech in noise. Its cause also needs to be investigated. If the loss started suddenly, get an ENT or emergency assessment the same day.
It can be. Especially with high-frequency loss, people hear that a voice is speaking but can't pick out some of the letters that give words their clarity. Difficulty telling speech apart can have other causes too. We look at pure-tone and speech test results together to understand where the problem lies.
Some sounds can feel unfamiliar in the first few days. Regular use, the right starting settings and follow-up appointments make the process easier. It helps us if you describe any sound that bothers you; we adjust the settings accordingly. Most users start listening more comfortably within a few weeks.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and doesn't replace diagnosis or treatment. If you have a complaint, see an ENT specialist.