I was really pleased to be asked by Asian Voice this week to talk about something I see in clinic almost every single day: the overlooked impact of hearing loss in our community. In South Asian families especially, hearing changes are too often laughed off or brushed aside as “just ageing.” But the impact of hearing loss reaches far further than most people realise — into memory, mood, balance and quality of life. Below, I’ve expanded on what we covered in the interview for our patients in Leicester.
“I can hear well enough” — the most common thing I hear in clinic
Most people who walk in for the first time say a version of the same thing: “I’m managing fine, people just need to speak up a bit.” That mindset is especially common in our community, where hearing changes are often laughed off, tolerated, or treated as something to live with rather than something to address.
The result? People delay getting checked for years — sometimes a decade or more — until the loss is significant. By then, the brain has been working overtime for years to fill in what the ears are missing, and that has knock-on effects we can measure.
My view is simple. Hearing should be part of the same routine health mindset as your cholesterol or blood sugar. If you’re over 55, get a baseline test. Then check every couple of years — much like you do with your eyes. There’s a fuller breakdown in our piece on why regular hearing tests matter at every age.
The impact of hearing loss on the brain
Even a moderate hearing loss can mean missing around 40% of the sound around you. The auditory parts of the brain start to receive less stimulation, so the brain has to work harder than it should just to follow a conversation. Sustained over years, that extra cognitive load is now strongly linked to memory problems, accelerated cognitive decline, and a higher risk of low mood.
It becomes a vicious cycle. Conversations get harder, so people stop going to the family gathering, the coffee meet-up, the temple, the mosque, the gurdwara. The brain gets less stimulation. Mood drops. Cognition slips further. We’ve written more about the link between untreated hearing loss and mental wellbeing if you want a deeper dive on the research.
The good news: addressing hearing loss early breaks the cycle before it starts. The earlier we catch it, the smoother the transition and the better the outcomes.
Why we accept glasses but resist hearing aids
I often draw this comparison with patients. When you’re told you need glasses, you accept it — you can see the difference instantly. With hearing, the response tends to be “I’ll manage.” But by the time someone agrees to do something about a “mild” loss, the brain may already have begun adapting in unhelpful ways.
Catching it earlier means a smoother transition, better outcomes, and a better quality of life. It is not vanity to address it. It is health care.
What I want everyone to know about younger ears
The picture is not only about older adults. Younger people are setting themselves up for problems with prolonged headphone and earphone use. Listening at a comfortable volume for short periods is fine — the cochlea can handle that. The problem is sustained exposure above around 80 decibels for hours at a time.
Once the tiny hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, they don’t grow back. Hearing loss from noise is permanent. The NHS guidance on hearing loss has good background reading on causes and prevention. If you work in a loud environment — construction, manufacturing, music, motorcycling — wear proper protection. It is the single most effective thing you can do.
Symptoms you should never ignore
Some symptoms warrant a same-week appointment, not a “wait and see.” In the interview I flagged a short list of red flags every adult should know.
- Pain in the ear
- Discharge — anything other than normal earwax
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Tinnitus that begins suddenly — ringing, buzzing or unusual sounds
- Rotational vertigo — the room spinning or feeling badly off-balance
For a fuller list of early signs to watch for, see our guide on the top signs you might need a hearing test. Balance issues are particularly easy to misattribute to “weak knees” when the inner ear is involved — there is more on that in our piece on dizziness, balance and your ears.
And please, stop using cotton buds
If there is one habit I would change overnight, it is this. The ear is self-cleaning. Cotton buds, hairpins, keys — anything inserted into the ear canal — push wax further in, irritate the skin, and risk perforating the eardrum. If you have a wax build-up, see a professional. We use professional microsuction at the clinic — it is quick, safe and far gentler than the at-home alternatives.
Book a hearing test in Leicester
If you, or a parent or grandparent, have not had a hearing test in the last two years, please book one. It takes about 45 minutes, it is painless, and you will leave knowing exactly where you stand. Same-week appointments are usually available at the clinic in Leicester — and every assessment is one-to-one with me, never a rotating team of strangers.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have my hearing tested?
From the age of 55 onwards, I recommend a baseline hearing test followed by a check every two years — much like an eye test. If you already wear hearing aids, an annual review is wise so the settings can be adjusted as your hearing changes. Anyone of any age should book sooner if they notice sudden changes, ringing, pain or balance problems.
Is hearing loss really linked to dementia?
There is a strong association in the research between untreated hearing loss and accelerated cognitive decline. The current view is that a brain straining for years to follow speech, combined with social withdrawal, places the brain under sustained load. Treating hearing loss early does not guarantee anything, but it removes one of the modifiable risk factors and supports brain stimulation through normal conversation.
Are hearing changes just a normal part of getting older?
Some change in hearing with age is normal, in the same way that some change in vision is normal. What is not normal — or healthy — is leaving it untreated. Glasses and hearing aids are tools that keep your brain receiving the input it needs. The earlier you address a loss, the easier the transition and the better the long-term outcomes.
Are headphones damaging my children’s hearing?
Short listening sessions at a comfortable volume are fine. The damage comes from prolonged exposure above around 80 decibels for hours at a time. Set volume limits on your child’s device, encourage breaks, and pay attention to whether they have to turn the volume up over time. Hearing damage from noise is permanent, so prevention matters far more than treatment.
Should I clean my ears with cotton buds?
No. The ear is self-cleaning, and cotton buds tend to push wax deeper into the canal, irritate the skin, and risk damaging the eardrum. If wax is causing blocked-up hearing, book a microsuction appointment with a professional. It is quick, painless and removes the wax safely under direct vision.
How long does a hearing test take, and does it hurt?
A full hearing assessment at the clinic takes around 45 minutes. It is completely painless — you will sit comfortably and respond to a series of tones and short words while I record what you can hear at different frequencies. At the end, I talk you through the results in plain English so you understand exactly where your hearing stands and what, if anything, would help.
When should I worry about sudden tinnitus or vertigo?
Sudden tinnitus, sudden hearing loss, ear pain, ear discharge or rotational vertigo are all red flags. If any of these come on out of the blue, book a same-week appointment rather than waiting it out. Caught early, many of these issues respond well to treatment. Left for weeks, the window for the best outcomes can close.
Thank you to Asian Voice for the chance to talk openly about a topic our community needs to be louder about. If this article makes one person book their parent in for a hearing test this month, the conversation has done its job.
Ishvaree Sharma, audiologist and founder of Hear With Ish — based in Leicester. HCPC registered, BSHAA member.