Boots Hearingcare has launched a hearing-loss awareness month to “help the nation hear better”.
The awareness month, called ‘The Great Big Hearing Test’, will take place in January 2025 and aims to encourage those experiencing signs of hearing loss to act quickly.
This comes as research from the brand revealed that it takes the average adult ten years to get a hearing test after noticing an issue with their ears.
The research also revealed that big family gatherings, such as Christmas, were a driving force for 62% of respondents to finally seek help.
Boots Hearingcare audiologist Hannah Samuels said: “When spending prolonged periods with family members over the festive season, the extra time together can make it easier to spot signs of hearing loss.
“These signs can be particularly present when in group settings, for example during a Christmas dinner or when playing games, as those struggling with their hearing can become particularly overwhelmed in these situations. Withdrawing from the group, being quieter than usual, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or having difficulty following conversations are all signs that could indicate hearing loss.”
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Samuels added: “Another common sign to look out for includes turning up the volume on the TV or radio to a level that is uncomfortable to most people. While hearing loss doesn’t necessarily indicate someone has dementia, it is a risk factor that if gone untreated could become an issue over time.
“If you are worried that you or someone you love is suffering with their hearing, the best thing you can do is book a free hearing test.”
Boots Hearingcare senior director marketing and commercial Lisa Cooper said: “Helping the nation to hear better is at the core of what we do and this campaign is no different. Christmas often acts as a big shift for people to eventually get their hearing tested, with the start of the year being our busiest time for bookings, and therefore we felt there was no better month than January to encourage everyone who may be considering it to get booked in, whilst it’s already front of mind.
“The research speaks for itself with how many people have reported struggling at this time of year, and there really is no better way to start 2025 than with greater confidence in your hearing. Tests are free, painless, and typically take 15 minutes with one of our expert audiologists, who will do everything they can to put you at ease.”
