Individual hearing solutions for individual problems

There are more than 11 million people in the UK with some degree of hearing loss, but every person with hearing issues has a unique set of challenges and solutions. “Hearing loss is very individualised,” says Amplifon audiologist Tazmeet Anand. “That’s what makes our job so interesting. Every single person who comes through the door is different and has different needs.”

However she says: “The onset of hearing loss is getting younger and younger because we tend to live much noisier lifestyles.” As a result, experts warn that a growing number of fortysomethings are now experiencing hearing issues.

There are two primary forms of hearing loss: sensorineural, which is the most common, is caused by damage to the cochlea, in the inner ear. This is often the result of exposure to noise or age-related wear and tear.

With sensorineural loss, higher frequencies are the first to be affected, which makes it difficult to hear women’s voices, or young children. “A lot of patients say, ‘I can’t make out what our granddaughter or grandson is saying’. It can be quite upsetting,” Tazmeet says.

The second type is conductive hearing loss, which affects the outer or middle ear and often involves problems with the bones in the middle ear which push sound through to the cochlea for processing. This is usually hereditary, or the result of a head injury or perforated eardrum.

But whatever the cause, Tazmeet says: “It’s very important that people know something can be done.”

The first step is to have your hearing checked and Amplifon offers free tests at