World Hearing Day: Washington Specsavers experts call for regular hearing checks
To mark World Hearing Day, Specsavers Washington provided free hearing checks to shoppers in The Galleries Shopping Centre.
The Specsavers team, who are also based in the centre, offered free ear health checks to customers, as well as advising on services they provide such as ear wax removal and hearing device fittings.
Specsavers has released new data showing a massive 181% increase in customers who have started to wear hearing devices over the last decade. The hearing experts at Specsavers estimate that more than 4.5 million people in the UK now wear hearing aids.
Despite this encouraging news, newly released research reveals that many are still avoiding the issue and many remain in denial.
According to a 2023 study of those with potential hearing loss who haven’t taken action, over a third (34%) don’t think their hearing loss is serious enough, while over one in 10 are worried (13%) and embarrassed (12%) about wearing a hearing aid.
Dr Zoe Williams, GP, says: “Perceptions around hearing aids are often outdated. The technology has evolved dramatically in recent years. Many modern devices are now small, discreet, and highly sophisticated. Specsavers offers a wide range of options, including the new Specsavers Advance 65 hearing aid, with sophisticated AI technology, which has the ability to: filter background noise, prioritise speech and enhance sound clarity.”
Dr Zoe says that it’s very common to experience changes in your hearing over time, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
“If you think you or your loved one might be struggling, it’s important to seek support early,” she added.
“Hearing loss is often thought of as something that mostly affects the elderly, but it’s far more common than you may think. Age-related hearing changes can start manifesting from your early 40s, with many of the symptoms creeping in without realisation."
Up to 18 million Brits struggle to hear properly,and many wait as long as 10 years to seek support. Around one in four people in the UK have hearing loss.
Some of the top signs of hearing loss are turning up the TV volume, difficulty hearing while speaking on the phone, and struggling to keep up with group conversations, especially in noisy environments such as bars or restaurants with background noise.
Dr Zoe continued: “Hearing checks are often put off, but when hearing loss is left untreated, it can affect confidence, relationships and overall wellbeing. If you’re struggling to follow conversations or feeling more disconnected, booking a hearing test this World Hearing Day could make a real difference to your quality of life. The good news is that you don’t always need to see your GP first – hearing care professionals are easily accessible on the high street and can carry out simple checks and talk you through the options available.”
If you or your loved one are struggling with your hearing, book a free hearing check at Specsavers. For more information, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing.