Toby joined John Darvell on BBC Radio Bristol for a conversation that started with a simple question: how do you actually know if you have a hearing problem? Press play to hear the lovely conversation between Toby and John.
In this lively interview John kicked things off with a question most of us have either asked or been asked: why is the television always so loud? From there, Toby and John range across everything from how hearing loss actually works to why the solution is rarely as simple as turning up the volume.
One of the things Toby explains really clearly is why so many people feel that everyone around them has started mumbling. It comes down to the difference between volume and clarity. The sounds that fade first with age-related hearing loss are the high-frequency consonants, the S, T, F and SH sounds that give words their shape. If you want to understand more about what’s actually happening when hearing changes with age, our article on age-related hearing loss is a good place to start.
Toby and John also talk about the way untreated hearing loss can lead people to quietly withdraw from situations they find difficult. It might seem like a small thing, but the knock-on effects can be significant. If you’d like to read more about the wider health connections Toby touches on in the interview, including the link with cognitive health, this article goes into it in more depth.
There’s also a really reassuring section on modern hearing aids, and how far the technology has come from the devices people might remember from years ago. If the thought of hearing aids still feels like a big step, our article on breaking the stigma might change your mind.
Most of all, this is a conversation that makes the whole subject feel very approachable, and Toby’s experience really comes through.
If anything in the interview resonates with you or someone you care about, the most useful thing you can do is book a hearing assessment. It’s straightforward, there’s no pressure, and it gives you a clear picture of where your hearing is today. Get in touch with the team at Meadows & Wood to arrange yours. Call us on 01934 248426, we are here to help.
