Deaf News: Survey finds half of Brits haven’t had a hearing test or can’t remember their last test

More than 50% of adults in Britain have never had their hearing checked or can’t recall the last time they had it tested, according to new research.

The survey of over 2,000 people, commissioned by the mobile network Audacious, also found that while 61% of adults surveyed took an eye test last year, only 19% had a hearing test in the same time period.

Matthew Turner, founder of Audacious, said: “I was born profoundly deaf but wasn’t diagnosed until I was nearly nine years old, so I have first-hand experience of the impact of neglected hearing health.

“I would encourage everyone to take a hearing test to learn about their own personal hearing profile so you can address any hearing needs.”

Officially launched in August last year, Audacious uses technology to personalise phone calls and match an individual’s “personal hearing profile” to help them to follow telephone conversations.

As well as revealing information about hearing tests, the data – released ahead of World Hearing Day next Tuesday – found that just over two thirds of British adults struggle to hear or be heard during calls, with one in ten people experiencing regular issues whilst on the phone.

Respondents later went on to say that they feel isolated (18%) and stressed (17%) as a result, while 23% of people said that they avoid answering the phone at all due to concerns over not hearing the other person.

The phenomenon has been dubbed ‘phone fear’ by Audacious, with their research also finding that it’s leading to almost a fifth of people feeling isolated as a result.

Speaking to The Limping Chicken, Audacious CEO Rob Shardlow said: “We live in a busy world and increasingly people work remotely and need to make calls on the move, so there can often be background noise making the process of following a conversation harder.

The study also follows a partnership between Audacious and Boots Hearingcare, with the mobile network being featured as one of many products and services on offer to Boots customers.

Staff will also receive training on Audacious as part of the deal, providing them with the knowledge to support those interested in joining the service.

More information about Audacious, including how to take a free online sound check, can be found on their website.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.