Thanks to an increase in awareness creation, more Brits are having their eyes, teeth, blood pressure and other aspects of their health checked on a regular basis. However, data shows that few get their hearing tested, although there are an estimated 12 million people in the UK with hearing problems. Appearing from issues directly related to hearing, experts say you should get tested to reduce dementia risk.
Discover our latest podcast
Hearing and dementia
According to experts at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), getting your hearing checked regularly has the potential of minimizing your risk of getting Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. One of the signs of these memory-related diseases is hearing loss.
Research suggests that only 6% of the UK’s population with no diagnosis of hearing loss, took a hearing check last year, although 98% of people surveyed said their hearing was of high importance to them. The charity, RNID, warned against taking things for granted when it comes to hearing. Crystal Rolfe is the charity’s associate director of health:
Everyone should be valuing and protecting their hearing as much as they value and protect their teeth, eyes or blood pressure, and this can all start with a simple hearing check.
Check your hearing
RNID says on its website that hearing loss can be difficult to spot as it happens gradually. However, there are some common signs that could indicate problems with hearing. Dr Rolfe highlights some of these:
If…you found yourself, or saw your partner or parents asking people to repeat themselves or struggling to follow a conversation, please take the first step and check your hearing.
Other signs include:
- turning the TV up louder than your family wants it
- struggling to hear on the phone
- having your partner complain that you don’t listen to them
- feeling that other people mumble.
Your GP can refer you to a hearing specialist (audiologist) or you can get a free testing through the NHS. Large pharmacies and opticians also offer tests.
Sources used:
RNID: Signs of hearing loss
The Sun: Urgent warning to Brits skipping hearing tests which could prevent deadly illness
