Living with hearing loss

Hearing loss is a relatively common condition that affects approximately 1 in 7 people in Australia(1). On this page you can learn to recognise signs of hearing loss, understand your options and how you can help someone with a hearing loss.

Do you need a hearing test?

Recognise the signs of hearing loss

Managing your hearing loss as early as possible can have a positive impact on your overall quality of life and long-term health². We recommended that you seek help as soon as you begin to recognise symptoms, such as:

Group of people engaging in a relaxed conversation while holding coffee mugs.

Difficulty following group conversations

Woman with gray hair holding hand near her ear, conveying difficulty hearing and active listening.

Asking others to repeat themselves

Senior woman with short white hair wearing a striped shirt, holding her hand near her ear.

People around you seem to be mumbling or talking softly

Couple sitting on a sofa with a remote control and a bowl of popcorn.

Having to turn up the TV, radio or phone volume to hear properly

Man with hearing aid engaged in conversation outdoors.

Difficulty hearing what people are saying if they don’t look directly at you

Woman covering ears with hands, suggesting discomfort or sensitivity to sound.

Feeling tired at the end of the day from straining to hear

How to handle the symptoms of hearing loss

If you notice that you or a loved one is experiencing signs of hearing loss, we recommend you to seek advice from a hearing care specialist, at one of our Audika clinics.

At Audika we offer 3 types of hearing tests to determine your level of hearing loss:

1. AMTAS - computer test using specific hearing software (15 mins)
2. A screening test with a Clinician (30 mins)
3. A comprehensive test with a Clinician (60 mins)

Whether you book online, submit a website request, call us or contact our clinic directly, we will determine the most suitable hearing test for your needs.

You can also start out by taking our online hearing test³. It takes about 5 minutes and gives you a quick assessment regarding whether you show signs of hearing loss.

Book an appointment

A person in a dark shirt holds a handheld hearing test device connected to red and blue earpieces labeled ’R’ and ’L.’ The background is neutral, suggesting a hearing clinic setting.

Living with untreated hearing loss

If you have difficulty hearing, you might make small adjustments in your daily life to compensate for the hearing loss. For example, you might start to withdraw from social activities. This withdrawal can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The first step towards better hearing is getting a FREE* hearing check in a hearing clinic.

Steps to better hearing Untreated hearing loss

How to help someone with hearing loss

It can be difficult to talk to a friend or loved one about hearing loss. It’s important to find a good time to have the conversation. Be mindful of the fact that it may be a sensitive topic for them.

They may be experiencing lowered confidence as a result of their hearing loss. With this in mind, be understanding and supportive in your approach. Here are a few tips for talking to someone about hearing loss:

Prepare yourself for the conversation
Find a comfortable place to talk
Show compassion and support
Help them take one step in the right direction that will start them on their journey to better hearing health.

What can you do to help

Read more tips about helping a loved one address their potential hearing loss.
Help someone with hearing loss

An easy first step is taking our 5 minute online hearing test³ that indicates if you may have hearing loss.
Take online hearing test³

In most cases, the best next step will be to agree that your friend or loved one book a hearing test in a hearing clinic. This action step will help them to get a better understanding of both the level and type of hearing loss.

Man with gray hair talking on the phone while seated on a brown sofa, with a laptop and notebook nearby.

Seek help for hearing loss: Book a FREE* hearing check

If you recognize hearing loss symptoms (such as having trouble hearing conversations or turning up the TV louder than normal), we suggest that you seek expert advice by booking an appointment

Question 1 of 1

Have you had a hearing test within the last two years?

Smiling audiologists wearing white shirts and blue ties.

We're here to help you hear better

While modern hearing aids are more effective than ever before in improving hearing ability, they do not restore your hearing completely.

However, hearing aids can come close. You could expect to hear significantly better than you would without hearing aids. Furthermore, hearing aids could improve your quality of life, self-confidence, and social engagement.

Book a FREE* hearing check

The hidden risks of hearing loss

Although hearing loss affects people in different ways, many studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a number of emotional and social consequences. Some of them include:

Less social interaction and loneliness
Weakened memory and a decreased ability to learn new tasks
Reduced performance at work or school
Tiredness, worry, stress and depression
Reduced awareness and an increased risk to personal safety (for example, while driving)
Increased risk for cognitive decline

Hearing loss and dementia

Mona Hemsley wearing a red shirt against a light green background

Mona Hemsley - Chief Audiologist and Head of Clinical Governance and Training

B.Comm(Mgt), GradCertSci., M.Clin.Aud.,MAudSA(CCP)

Mona’s career has seen her work in a wide range of audiological areas, including paediatrics, diagnostics and tinnitus counselling, where she ultimately developed a passion for adult rehabilitation and helping not simply hearing care clients but developing the skills of our network of clinicians. Mona’s consistent relationship-focused ability to train and foster the talents of all client-facing team members saw her move into State Management and national training roles, before advancing to her current role as Chief Audiologist and Head of Clinical Governance and Training for the entire Audika Clinical Network across Australia and New Zealand.

Mona’s focus is now on ensuring every client that Audika interacts with is achieving a better quality of life, through a clinically consistent, professional and high-standard of care provided by all clinical team members. This client outcomes focus is the key driver in developing and reimagining the future of modern hearing care at Audika.

Sources

1. https://www.hcia.com.au/hcia-wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Hearing_for_Life.pdf
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

Disclaimer

3. Results provide a preliminary indication only and do not replace a full hearing test.

Woman with short gray hair wearing headphones during a hearing test.