Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of spending an evening with the Clipston WI, a wonderful group who had invited me to speak about hearing loss, hearing health, and the small everyday things we can all do to support those who may be struggling. Being part of this kind of community event means a lot to me, because hearing loss affects far more people than most realise — yet it’s still something many feel unsure about discussing openly.
Walking into the Clipston WI meeting felt warm, welcoming, and familiar. Their President had reached out to me after both she and her husband had been fitted with hearing aids at our clinic. They’d shared how much of a difference it had made to their day-to-day life, and she told me, “People really need to hear this, Ish.” That sentence alone made the whole evening feel special before I’d even begun speaking.
A room full of people who genuinely wanted to learn
What struck me most was how engaged everyone was. Hearing loss can often feel like a private struggle, yet the moment we began talking, hands went up, heads nodded, and people shared stories of partners, parents, siblings, neighbours — so many people quietly managing changes in their hearing.
I opened the session with a fact that always surprises people:
Hearing loss is the second most common disability in the UK, and according to RNID, millions of people could benefit from hearing aids but have not yet taken that first step.
(Source: https://rnid.org.uk)
When I told the group that most people wait around 10 years before seeking help, several people gasped. Many admitted that they recognised the signs in people close to them — or even in themselves.
Talking openly about signs, symptoms and early support
Together, we talked through the early signs of hearing loss: struggling to follow conversations in groups, needing subtitles more often, turning up the TV, or asking “Sorry, what was that?” more times than feels normal. I also shared simple prevention tips and the importance of routine hearing checks, just like we do for our eyes or teeth.
We spoke about something equally important — how to support someone you love.
Sometimes it’s small changes:
• speaking face-to-face
• reducing background noise
• being patient rather than repeating with frustration
• encouraging hearing checks in a reassuring way
It was lovely to see people jotting notes down, smiling, and nudging each other with that familiar “This sounds like you!” look.
Why events like this mean so much to me
As an audiologist, I care deeply about making hearing health feel normal, approachable, and free from stigma. I meet so many people who’ve been struggling in silence for years because they didn’t want to “make a fuss” or felt embarrassed to ask for help.
That’s why evenings like this at the Clipston WI genuinely mean the world. When a community is willing to learn, listen, and start conversations, people feel safer taking that first step. And if that leads even one person to book a hearing test earlier than they otherwise might have, it’s worth every second.
A heartfelt thank you to the Clipston WI
I left feeling genuinely uplifted. Their kindness, their interest, and their willingness to learn reminded me why I love the work I do. A huge thank you again to the President for inviting me — and for trusting me with her and her husband’s hearing care. It was a privilege to be welcomed into your community.
If any other local groups, clubs, workplaces or community organisations would like a talk about hearing health, I’d be more than happy to help. These conversations really do make a difference.
If you’d like to learn more about the services we offer, you can read about our hearing tests, hearing solutions and tinnitus support at https://hearwithish.com/hearing-services/
Contact Hear with Ish
If you have concerns about your hearing or a loved one’s hearing, please don’t wait years to get support.
📞 07349269037
📧 contact@hearwithish.com
🖥️ https://hearwithish.com/contact/