Call the check!

1. Hearing loss occurs over time, so call the telephone hearing check once a year to monitor any change. If you do notice any difference during the year, you can call again. Remember to check the hearing in both ears by calling twice, once with the handset on your left hand side and once on your right hand side.

Use simple communication tactics

2. If you pass the telephone hearing check and are still worried, remember that people with normal hearing often struggle in noisy places. Whatever your result, simple communication tactics can make life easier, such as placing yourself where you can see the speaker's face and lips, making use of your better ear if appropriate, and standing near to the speaker.

There are more tips on communication between people with and without hearing loss on RNID's website.

Products to help you hear better

3. Whatever your result, you may benefit from products to help you hear better. Think about the situations when you struggle. If you sometimes have difficulties using the telephone, hearing TV and radio dialogue or babies, or experience tinnitus, assistive listening devices may be able to help.

For a more detailed assessment of your hearing, you can ask your GP to refer you to an audiology clinic or an ear, nose and throat specialist. Mention that you've taken RNID's telephone hearing check and your result. You can also print out the explanation of your result.

Helping others

You can help someone with a hearing loss by following some simple tips.

For more information on all of these topics, have a look at the RNID website.