Do I need a hearing aid?

Most hearing loss occurs very gradually and you may not be aware that your hearing is deteriorating. If you think you might need hearing aids, the first thing to do is visit your family doctor (GP) to get a referral.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might benefit from having your hearing tested and being fitted with a hearing aid:

• Do you find people talk less clearly?
• Do you find that people drop the ends off their words?
• Are some voices harder to hear than others?
• Do people have to repeat what they are saying, talk louder or shout at you?
• Do you need to have the volume on the television or radio louder than other people?
• Do you have trouble hearing people in noisy environments?

If your hearing is noticeably worse in one ear and/or you have tinnitus noises in one ear, you should mention this to your GP.