It is whatever makes you uncomfortable in a situation where people are talking. You start losing words from a conversation or worse, mishearing them. You might find an increase in your stress levels! It is also when people laugh at you rather than with you. Keep away from the nasty ones. They think that they do not have time to consider other people. Rot. Most people are kind and will look at you when they speak. The problem is that they forget after two seconds.
Missing musical notes is not fun. I use a listener to make sure I don’t miss anything. If you have surround sound speakers, a hearing-aid is great because it picks up violins and piccolos.
It is usual to deny a hearing issue but being here means you are looking for answers. Ask your GP for a free hearing test or take it by phone*. For best results do the test twice, that is once for each ear. About five minutes per ear. You might even persuade yourself that there is nothing wrong if you have used your good ear on the test.
You may not need a hearing-aid. Surround yourself with equipment instead, like amplified phones and hearing loops. It will make your life easy.
It is usual to pretend that you don’t have a hearing issue. It is also true that most people don’t see hearing aids. That’s because they talk to your face rather than your ears!
Next: Mild to Moderate – This is rather like the fatuous expression ‘Smart Casual’
*To take our (RNID now Action on Hearing) telephone Hearing Check just call 0844 800 3838 (calls from a BT landline cost up to 5p per minute. Other providers' charges may vary. Call set up charge may apply)