Because hearing loss is so gradual, it’s not always easy to notice if you do not hear as well as you used to. Here are some signs you can look out for:

• The TV is too loud for other members of your family
• You find it difficult to keep up with conversations when there’s background noise
• Chatting on the phone is tricky, even when the room is quiet
• You feel like people are mumbling a lot, and you have to ask them to repeat what they’ve said.
• Often it’s your loved ones who notice a hearing loss before you do – so they might hint when they notice you are finding it difficult to hear.

If you notice a sudden hearing loss or a loss that impacts one side significantly more or fluctuates. We recommend seeking medical advice before a hearing assessment.

Hearing loss affects one in six people in the UK. If you’re over 50, we recommend having a hearing check every two years to keep an eye on your hearing.

At Boots Hearingcare, they’re completely free and take 15 minutes – Book your appointment now.

A free 15-minute hearing check at Boots Hearingcare is a quick and easy way to find out how well you’re hearing. In your appointment, a Boots Hearingcare expert will;

• Check the health of your ears
• Carry out some simple tests to see how well you’re hearing
• Give you advice about how you can hear better.

The 15-minute hearing test is ideal if you've noticed a change in your hearing or you have mild concerns about your hearing. The appointment includes a general check of the health of your ears and a hearing screen. We’ll ask you to respond to a series of sounds played through headphones. The results of your hearing health check will indicate if there are any issues with your hearing that should be explored further in a full hearing test.

It’s important to monitor your hearing, including the health of your ears. To make sure that everything is working as it should. If you’re over 50, we’d recommend you get your hearing checked at least every two years. We can check if your hearing has changed since your last appointment.

We have selected locations across the UK. Click here to find your nearest Boots Hearingcare store.

At Boots Hearingcare, all our hearing tests and appointments are completely free. Why not encourage a friend to come for a hearing test too?

We only offer hearing tests for adults aged 19 and over.

Because hearing loss is typically gradual, a person with a hearing loss might not even notice it. But it can be frustrating if a loved one seems to be struggling to hear – maybe they have the TV on very loudly, ask you to repeat yourself a lot, or have trouble talking to you on the phone. They might even become a little withdrawn and spend less time in social situations because they’re struggling to hear. If you think someone you know has a hearing loss, here are some things you can do for them:

• Chat in quiet places where there’s less background noise
• Make sure they can see your face when you talk – lots of people use basic lip-reading without realising
• Encourage them to book a free hearing check.
• If they need a hearing aid, make sure you’re patient as they get used to hearing better again

You can read this section to find out about how someone with a new hearing aid gets used to using it.