Subtle signs of hearing loss to look out for at home

Today, on World Hearing Day (3rd March), we at The Good Care Group are encouraging families to look out for the subtle signs around the home that could point to hearing loss in older loved ones.

Sometimes the earliest clues are found in the most familiar routines. Something as simple as not noticing the kettle switching off can be an early indicator that someone’s hearing may be changing.

In Britain, the kettle is a central part of daily life. Many people are used to hearing its familiar click and quickly putting the kettle on for a cup of tea. When someone who was once the first to notice that sound suddenly stops responding to it, it may signal more than simple distraction.

Hearing loss is very common in later life. UK health data suggests that around 18 million adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, and nearly 80% of people aged over 70 experience some level of hearing impairment. Days like World Hearing Day remind us that these changes often happen gradually and can easily be dismissed as “just part of getting older.”

Care professionals say early clues tend to show up in everyday routines, long before a formal hearing assessment is arranged.

Sabah Shah, Clinical Lead at The Good Care Group, says everyday observations in the home are critical for early awareness. “Hearing loss rarely happens suddenly, it often begins with reduced sensitivity to higher-pitched sounds. In many homes, that might be the click of the kettle, the microwave beep or a timer going off and when someone consistently doesn’t react to those sounds, it’s worth paying attention. Missing everyday audio cues can pose real safety risks, from not hearing appliance alerts to missing doorbells, phone calls or even smoke alarms. Left unaddressed, hearing loss can also lead to frustration, withdrawal and a marked loss of confidence.”

She adds: “If a loved one was always the first to make tea and suddenly the kettle is boiling away unnoticed, that change in routine may be more significant than it appears. Early identification means earlier support, which can protect independence and reduce the longer-term risks associated with untreated hearing loss.”

The five subtle signs carers notice first:

1. The ‘Kettle Click’ Sign – If the kettle switches off and someone doesn’t notice, or keeps asking if it’s boiled, that’s not just to be brushed off as forgetfulness. Difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds is often one of the earliest signs of age-related hearing loss. So when someone who was always first to make tea suddenly doesn’t react to the kettle, families shouldn’t brush it off. Small changes like that are often the earliest red flags.
2. Missed appliance alerts – Modern homes are full of high-pitched alerts, microwave beeps, washing machine alarms and oven timers. When these repeatedly go unnoticed, it can increase real household risks that include burns from unattended appliances, kitchen fires, flooding from running water and in rare cases, missing critical alarms such as smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.
3. Repeated requests for clarification – Saying ‘sorry?’ or ‘what was that?’ more often, especially in busy environments, can signal difficulty distinguishing speech sounds. That doesn’t just affect conversation. It can lead to misunderstanding medical advice, missing safety instructions, or failing to hear who is at the door. When speech becomes harder to follow, people may nod along without fully understanding and that can have serious consequences.
4. The one-ear turn – If someone keeps turning the same ear towards conversation, it may indicate asymmetrical hearing loss and should prompt a formal audiology assessment. Uneven hearing reduces the ability to detect approaching vehicles from behind, including quieter electric cars as well as bicycle bells, horns and emergency sirens. Without early sound cues, a person relies heavily on sight alone, narrowing their awareness to what’s directly in front of them. That delay can affect judgement of speed and distance, increasing the risk of stepping into traffic, losing balance or freezing mid-crossing.
5. Social withdrawal – When someone becomes quieter in social settings or starts avoiding group conversations, it may not be low mood but instead it could be listening fatigue as straining to hear can be really exhausting.

Hearing changes affect far more than volume, untreated hearing loss is associated with increased falls risk and social isolation. Over time, people may withdraw without realising why. That loss of confidence and connection can significantly affect overall wellbeing.

World Hearing Day on 3rd March serves as an important reminder that early recognition of hearing loss can lead to timely assessment and support through NHS audiology services. Families or carers concerned about changes in hearing should contact their GP for support or self-refer to audiology services for a formal assessment.