3rd March 2025 is World Hearing Day which aims to raise awareness of the importance of ear and hearing health and to encourage people to get their hearing checked in the same way as they would their eyesight. And it is vital that the message gets across.
Experts agree that hearing loss doubles the risk of depression and mental health issues due to increased loneliness, anxiety and stress. Recent findings, including a BBC Radio 4 ‘Sliced Bread’ segment, also suggest link between hearing loss and dementia.
I am deaf in one ear and, according to recent statistics from the RNID, that makes me one of a whopping 18 million adults in the UK who have some level of hearing loss or tinnitus – that equates to approximately 1 in 3 adults.
Listening is a key part of our ability to interact and empathise with one another, so when our capacity to listen is compromised, it can lead to fractured communication, causing difficulties in relationships at home, work and socially.
Hearing loss is not just about poor amplification of sound, it is also about how distorted sounds can be and how our brains process speech. Conversing in busy, noisy locations from pubs, cafés, restaurants to meeting rooms and conferences to doctor’s waiting rooms; is all just anxiety inducing, stressful and frankly exhausting. When faced with those challenges on a daily basis, it’s no wonder people affected by hearing loss avoid such environments and increasingly become isolated.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Through education and understanding we can build inclusive and accessible communities. After all hearing loss affects everybody: 30% of UK adults are directly impacted while the other 70% are their friends, family, customers, and work colleagues.
Sense Progress Ltd helps individuals and organisations become more accessible and inclusive of people with hearing loss. Please contact me to find out how I can help you. Hello@senseprogress.com: 07361 830831.