How do I know if I've got hearing problems?

Reviewed by:
Published on:
June 25, 2026

There are many signs that you may not be hearing well that you or others may notice.

You may think people speak quietly or mix up what someone is saying and hear something different.

You may have to look at their faces to help you understand or ask them to repeat what they’ve said. Sounds like birds, an alarm, or the phone ringing may be challenging to hear, or you may need to turn the T.V. volume up louder to hear it, which may be too loud for others.

You may hear ringing or buzzing noises in your ears called tinnitus or find it hard to hear in noisy places.

You may not need hearing aids - but you do need to know how healthy your ears are. Find out more.

You can browse the Hearing Health category page for more on understanding hearing changes.

Up Next
Do I need earmuffs, or can I wear earplugs?
Written by:
What is a "free" hearing test vs an Ear360?
Read article
I can hear people when it's quiet but not when it's noisy. Why?
Read article
What benefits are there for treating my hearing loss?
Read article
Free Hearing Checks vs. Comprehensive Assessments
Read article
Is it really such a big deal if I don't treat my hearing loss?
Read article
How is your mental and cognitive fitness connected to your hearing health?
Read article
What should I do if I wake up and my hearing is different?
Read article
Ringing Ears, Brain Fog, and Hormones: What Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know About Menopause and Hearing Health
Read article
My family member can't hear well. What should I do?
Read article
Why is it hard to hear people with accents?
Read article
I can hear people when it's quiet but not when it's noisy. Why?
Read article
I know I have a hearing loss but it’s mild, should I wait till it gets worse before addressing it?
Read article
My father-in-law can’t hear very well and won’t have a hearing test or wear hearing aids. What can we as a family do?
Read article
What is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)?
Read article
Barotrauma: Ear Pain from Pressure Changes
Read article
How is your mental and cognitive fitness connected to your hearing health?
Read article
Ringing Ears, Brain Fog, and Hormones: What Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know About Menopause and Hearing Health
Read article

How do I know if I've got hearing problems?

Written by:
Reviewed by:
Blog length:
 min read
Published:
November 11, 2022
Updated:
June 25, 2026
Summary
No items found.
Summary
No items found.

Resonate. The Podcast

New Zealand’s home for honest conversations about hearing and healthy ageing.
Share this post