Hearing loss does more than just make conversations harder.
It affects those you love.
Hearing loss happens so gradually you may not even notice— but those around you probably do. Social moments can become less enjoyable and connections starts to fade.
If you haven’t had your hearing checked, now’s the time.
Because as hearing declines, the risks to your health grow.
Affects those you love
Your hearing loss can frustrate your partner and strain your relationship.1 Ignoring your hearing loss can also affect your partner’s emotional well-being.1
A study on the effects of hearing loss on partners has shown that they often felt frustrated with the person with hearing loss, feeling that this negatively affected their relationship with that person. The partner’s quality of life is also affected, citing that hearing loss can put a strain on relationships between the person with hearing loss and their partner.1
Linked to heightened risk of developing dementia2
Hearing loss is linked to a 32% higher risk of developing dementia.2
Ignoring hearing loss isolates your mind, chipping away at your mental sharpness.3
More than doubles your risk of a serious fall4
Hearing loss more than doubles your risk of a serious fall.4
Hearing plays a key role in helping us stay aware of our surroundings and maintain balance.
Increases your risk of loneliness
Hearing loss is linked to a 35% higher risk of developing depression.5
Even a mild level of hearing loss makes you nearly 50% more likely to feel mentally overwhelmed or stressed.6
Ignoring hearing loss significantly increases the odds of being lonely for people aged over 40.7
Why not acting on hearing loss is risky
It’s easy to overlook getting your hearing checked. It’s often thought of as natural and unavoidable— just the result of getting older.
But research has shown the surprising risks involved for those who ignore their hearing loss.
Know the study behind the fact
Curious about the research that supports the facts we've shared?
Explore the studies and reports that underpin our insights. Whether you're looking for deeper understanding or simply want to verify the evidence, this section offers direct access to the science behind the fact.
1. Barker, A. B., Leighton, P., & Ferguson, M. A. (2017). Coping together with hearing loss: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the psychosocial experiences of people with hearing loss and their communication partners. International Journal of Audiology, 56(5), 297-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2017.1286695 Accessed 21/10/25 at https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/839547/coping-together-with-hearing-loss-a-qualitative-meta-synthesis-of-the-psychosocial-experiences-of-people-with-hearing-loss-and-their-communication-partner
2. Readman, M. R., Littlejohn, J., Dodd, I., Rhodes, S., Wareing, L., Polden, M., … Giebel, C. (2025). Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a global perspective. Aging & Mental Health, 29(10), 1831–1844. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2515180 accessed 21/10/25
3. Ruan-Ching Yu, Menelaos Pavlou, Anne G M Schilder, Doris-Eva Bamiou, Glyn Lewis, Frank Robert Lin, Gill Livingston, Danielle Proctor, Rumana Omar, Sergi G Costafreda, Early detection and management of hearing loss to reduce dementia risk in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: findings from the treating auditory impairment and cognition trial (TACT), Age and Ageing, Volume 54, Issue 1, January 2025, afaf004, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf004 Accessed 21/10/25 at https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/54/1/afaf004/7965371
4. Goman, A. M., Tan, N., Pike, J. R., et al. (2025). Effects of hearing intervention on falls in older adults: findings from a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Public Health, 10:6 e492-e50. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00088-X Accessed 22/10/25 at https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00088-X/fulltext
5. Wei, J., Li, Y. and Gui, X. (2024) Association of hearing loss and risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Neurol. 15:1446262. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1446262 accessed 22/10/25
6. Bigelow, R.T., Reed, N.S., Brewster, K.K., et al. Association of Hearing Loss With Psychological Distress and Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Adults in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(7):e2010986. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.10986 accessed 21/10/25
7. Jayakody, D.M.P., Wishart, .J, Stegeman, I., Eikelboom, R., Moyle, T.C., Yiannos, J.M., Goodman-Simpson, J. and Almeida, O.P. (2022) Is There an Association Between Untreated Hearing Loss and Psychosocial Outcomes? Front. Aging Neurosci. 14:868673. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.868673 accessed 22/10/253
Ignoring your hearing is risky
but getting your hearing checked is simple and free.
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