Why Self Check Our Hearing?
Subtle changes in our hearing usually occur from early adulthood onwards. But because these changes are usually very gradual, they can be very difficult to detect. In fact it’s often easier for other people to notice changes in our hearing, than for us to notice them ourselves.
The reason for this is very simple: if we don’t hear something the first time, we’re blissfully unaware that we missed anything – whilst the person who spoke to us will find themselves having to repeat what they said. (But of course if they mention it to us, the natural reaction is to get defensive – rather than thanking them for picking it up for us!)
Or take another example. We may pick up what someone said, but we might miss bits of the detail: Did they say “socks” or “fox”?
That’s because it’s usually the consonants or beginnings and endings of words that are most difficult to distinguish. But because our brain is so clever, it will try to fill in the gaps and may not realise that we missed anything at all. Meanwhile the person who has spoken to us will realise that we have given a completely inappropriate response.
So is there any way that we can get a head start in picking up these subtle changes in our hearing?
Well that’s where the 3Rs of Checking Your Own Hearing comes in.
The 3Rs of Checking Your Own Hearing
The 3Rs of Checking Your Own Hearing is a very easy-to-remember self-check that you can use on a regular basis as an early warning system for any changes in hearing.So how do we use it?
1. REMOTE
Let someone else in the house have the TV remote for the evening, and try listening at the level they prefer. (Don’t forget to try it with several different people, to be sure you don’t accidentally find the one person who likes the volume louder on the television than you do!) Do you find yourself itching to turn the volume up?
2. RESTAURANT
Go out to a busy restaurant or pub for the evening with some friends. During the conversation, pay attention to how well you are following the conversation compared to everyone around you. Do you find yourself switching off, or losing the thread?
3. REPEAT
During your normal day, be aware of the number of times you have to ask someone to repeat themselves, or when you’re not certain you’ve heard them correctly and wished they would repeat themselves. Do you find it happens more frequently than the people around you?
Of course, none of these checks are fool-proof, and nothing replaces the need for routine hearing checks throughout life. But the 3Rs of Checking Your Own Hearing will help you become more aware of your own hearing in daily life, so that you can begin to take control of it – rather than having someone else point it out to you unexpectedly.
So remember, if you suspect you’re missing out on something, think to yourself, “Good! I’ve caught it before I’ve missed out on too much!”
And get yourself booked in for a proper hearing test with Broom Reid & Harris.