March is Hearing Awareness Month – a reminder that hearing plays a powerful role in our confidence, connection and long-term health. Here’s how to recognise early changes and support your hearing with a few practical steps.

Most of us think of hearing as something we’ll notice instantly if it starts to fade, like a sudden drop in volume. In reality, hearing loss usually happens slowly. You may find yourself turning up the TV a little louder or needing to concentrate more in busy cafes. You might miss parts of conversations or feel unusually tired after long meetings1.

These changes are easy to dismiss. But hearing plays a bigger role in our wellbeing than we often realise. It supports our confidence, helps us connect with others, and contributes to our long-term health. When hearing starts to decline, the impacts can be felt well beyond the ears.

The good news is that early action can make a meaningful difference. Understanding the simple steps that support hearing health can help you protect your wellbeing at every age.

Why hearing loss happens

Hearing loss is very common. Age is one of the biggest factors: as we get older, the delicate hair cells inside our inner ear naturally deteriorate, affecting how we process sound. This type of gradual decline, known as presbycusis, typically starts in our 40s and 50s and becomes more noticeable over time2.

But age isn’t the only cause. Long-term noise exposure – from concerts, power tools, machinery or even loud lawn equipment – can damage hearing at any stage of life. Genetics, chronic health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, ear infections and blockages can also contribute3.

Here in Aotearoa, many of us spend time around DIY tools, outdoor equipment, or workplaces with higher noise levels. And because hearing changes tend to creep in slowly, people often adapt without realising what they’ve lost. Recognising the early signs is an important first step.

Hearing and your wellbeing: how they’re connected

Hearing is deeply tied to how we move through the world. When it changes, several areas of wellbeing can be affected, sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.

Communication and connection

Healthy hearing helps us feel part of the moment. When hearing becomes harder, everyday interactions can involve more guesswork.

You might find yourself withdrawing from group conversations because it’s easier than constantly asking people to repeat themselves. Family members may think you’re not listening, when in fact you simply didn’t hear them. These experiences can erode confidence and make social situations feel tiring rather than enjoyable.

Research backs this up. Studies show that untreated hearing loss is strongly linked with social isolation and loneliness – two factors that can influence both mental and physical health4.

Mental and emotional wellbeing

Straining to hear can be unexpectedly exhausting. When your brain is working hard to fill in the gaps, everyday listening requires much more effort. Over time, this can contribute to stress, frustration, and fatigue.

The reassuring news is that support makes a difference. People with hearing loss who use hearing aids are less likely to experience these mental health challenges than those who don’t5.

Cognitive health

One of the most interesting areas of hearing research is its link to cognitive function. Scientists have found that untreated hearing loss may be one of several modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline later in life.

This doesn’t mean hearing loss causes dementia. Instead, experts think there may be a few contributing factors:

• When hearing is harder, the brain has fewer resources left for memory and thinking.
• Reduced social connection, a side effect of untreated hearing loss, may also play a role.
• Over time, the brain areas involved in processing sound may become less active.

A major study by researchers at John Hopkins University found that older adults at greater risk of dementia may be able to decrease their risk of cognitive decline by nearly half by using hearing aids6. This is a powerful reminder that taking action early can support long-term wellbeing.

Why early action helps

Because hearing loss typically develops slowly, many people wait years before seeking help. But taking action earlier often leads to better outcomes.

Regular hearing checks create a helpful baseline, so you can track changes over time. If you do need support, modern hearing aids are far more discreet and versatile than they used to be. Many models automatically adjust to different environments and connect directly to smartphones or TVs. They’re also shown to improve mood, reduce fatigue and support healthy cognitive function.

Southern Cross Health Insurance members get complimentary hearing tests and discounts on hearing aids* through bloom hearing, with locations nationwide.

Small steps that make a big difference

You don’t need dramatic lifestyle changes to support your hearing. Small, consistent actions are often the most effective.

Know the early signs

If you regularly:

• turn up the TV or radio,
• struggle to hear conversations in restaurants,
• feel people are “mumbling”,
• or need to concentrate harder than usual to follow dialogue, it’s worth checking your hearing.

Book a hearing check

Audiologists recommend getting your hearing checked regularly, especially if you’re over 60 or if you suspect you’re not hearing as well as you used to7. Your GP can also help rule out simple causes like wax buildup or ear infections.

Protect your ears from loud noise

Use earplugs or earmuffs for concerts, DIY tools, lawn equipment and noisy workplaces. Even small reductions in noise exposure can help preserve hearing over time.

Support your general health

Healthy blood pressure, regular exercise and good diabetes management (if applicable) all benefit the tiny blood vessels that help your ears function8.

When to seek more support

If hearing changes are beginning to affect your daily life, relationships or confidence, consider speaking with a GP or audiologist. A hearing test is simple, painless and takes less than an hour. From there, you can explore options such as hearing aids, communication strategies, or hearing therapy.

The most important step is the first one – reaching out for advice. Many people say they wish they’d done it sooner, but no matter when you start, it’s never too late to have your hearing checked.

Protecting your hearing is part of protecting your wellbeing

Your hearing supports your enjoyment, your relationships and your confidence. It helps you stay engaged with the people and activities that matter most.

If you’ve noticed changes, or simply want to understand where you’re at, a conversation with your GP or an audiologist can give you clarity. By taking small steps now, you can support your hearing – and your overall wellbeing – for the years ahead.

1. (n.d.) Hearing health checklist – NZ Audiological Society. Retrieved from https://audiology.org.nz/for-the-public/about-hearing-loss/hearing-health-checklist/
2. Presbycusis – The Lancet, 24–30 September 2005. Retreived from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673605674235
3. (n.d.) About hearing loss – NZ Audiological Society. Retrieved from https://audiology.org.nz/for-the-public/about-hearing-loss/
4. Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review – National Library of Medicine, 21 July 2021. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8292986/
5. Association between the hearing aid and mental health outcomes in people with hearing impairment: A case-control study among 28 European countries – Journal of Affective Disorders, 15 September 2024. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032724010176
6. Hearing Aids May Slow Dementia Onset – Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins University, 21 July 2023. Retrieved from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/hearing-aids-may-slow-dementia-onset
7. How often should I get my hearing tested? – Healthy Hearing, 27 March 2025. Retrieved from https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53107-How-often-should-i-get-my-hearing-tested.
   *Terms and conditions apply.
8. Top tips for healthy hearing habits – Ear Science Institute Australia, 15 May 2023. Retrieved from https://www.earscience.org.au/2023/05/15/top-tips-for-healthy-hearing-habits/