Hearing loss is a major public health issue affecting about 9 million people in England. Because age-related hearing loss is the single biggest cause it is estimated that by 2035 there will be around 13 million people with hearing loss in England – a fifth of the population. (NICE 2018, NG98). Temporary hearing loss may be due to a buildup of wax and it could be a significant factor if you already have an age-related impairment.

Hearing loss impacts an individual’s ability to communicate and can affect family relationships, enjoyment of music and social or family gatherings, employment or educational opportunities and ultimately independence. It can cause feelings of isolation and low self-esteem and can lead to a significant reduction in people’s quality of life. Research shows that hearing loss doubles the risk of developing depression and increases the risk of anxiety and other mental health issues. Although hearing loss affects all ages it is more prevalent in older people and there is an association between hearing loss and cognitive performance as well as dementia (RNID.org.uk).

The vast majority of permanent hearing loss is bilateral (in both ears) and progresses slowly, with the most common complaint of adults with hearing loss being difficulty in hearing speech against a background of other noise. It can take time for people to accept they have a difficulty and studies have found that on average there is a 10-year delay in people aged 55 to 74 years seeking help for their hearing loss. Only 1 in 3 adults who would benefit from hearing aids have them prescribed and fitted (NICE 2018, NG98).  An NHS or private audiologist can assess your level of hearing and prescribe hearing aids if necessary but prior to this test, your ears will need to be clear of any wax occlusion.