SOME 45% of adults in Wales have noticed a change in their hearing over the past few years, but more than a quarter have not taken any action, according to new research revealed this week by drummer and broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans.
Commissioned by Specsavers, the survey found that while 38% of all Welsh people have experienced temporary muffled hearing or ringing in their ears after attending live music or gigs, only 24% of those who’ve noticed their hearing has worsened have had a hearing check in the past two years. More than a quarter (28%), say they have taken no action and don’t plan to.
The research highlights how closely hearing and identity are linked in Wales, with 65% saying sounds are important to their sense of Welsh identity. The sounds that top the list in making the nation feel like are home are hearing the Welsh accent (67%), a Welsh choir (54%) and the Welsh language (53%). For many, losing the ability to hear those sounds would make them feel less connected to Welsh culture (40%).
The findings are very personal for 42-year-old Owain Wyn Evans, who is fronting the new Specsavers’ hearing campaign in Wales.
‘I first noticed changes to my hearing about five years ago,’ explains the Ammanford-born broadcaster.
‘I’ve been drumming since I was 10, often in very loud environments like rugby and social clubs, and over time I realised I was missing parts of conversations and turning the volume up more than I used to. It was a shock to be told there had been changes to my hearing, but it made me take my hearing health seriously.
‘Sound is such a huge part of who we are in Wales. For me, so much of my connection to home are sounds of the rugged Welsh landscape from the countryside to the sea. Protecting our hearing means protecting those connections.’
Despite recognising the emotional importance of our hearing, one in three (33%) admit they have never taken steps to protect their hearing and 38% say they would feel more confident wearing glasses than hearing devices.
For Cardiff-based former DJ, Amal Luchmun, taking that step was transformative. The 56-year-old spent much of the 90s playing multiple nights a week in loud clubs.
‘We didn’t think much about protecting our hearing then,’ explains Amal Luchmun.
‘My hearing loss became quite literally a conversation killer. I’d find myself guessing what people were saying and filling in the gaps, and then I started to avoid noisy environments because it was exhausting trying to keep up.
‘Since being fitted with a hearing device from Specsavers, the difference has been huge. I went to a Six Nations match recently and I could hear what was happening on the pitch and chat easily with people around me. It made the day so much more enjoyable.’
Annie Morris, Specsavers’ head of clinical performance, who lives in Swansea, adds: ‘Our brains are always tuned into sounds that are familiar and meaningful to us. That’s why something like a Welsh accent or the sound of a choir can instantly stand out to us as those sounds carry memory, emotion and a sense of home.
‘Changes to our hearing often happens gradually. The brain adapts to missing sounds, so people don’t always realise how much they’re no longer hearing until it starts to affect conversations or social situations. On average, people wait around 10 years from first noticing changes to seeking help and advice.
‘Although changes to our hearing can’t be reversed, taking action early can help slow further decline. Wearing hearing protection in loud environments and booking a check as soon as you notice changes can make a real difference.’
Speaking about his recent hearing check with Specsavers, Owain Wyn Evans adds: ‘It was great to chat about my hearing and what I need to do to make sure it doesn’t get any worse. As someone who relies so much on my hearing, I like to understand what’s going on.
‘The results showed that I still have some damage to my hearing, but I don’t need any hearing devices just yet, although that may come in the future. For now, I feel reassured because I know where I stand and what I need to do, which is protect my ears when I’m in loud environments and playing the drums, and keep up with regular hearing checks. I’ll absolutely continue to do that.’
