Interview with Jorge Rey, Au.D., CCC-A
With World Hearing Day prompting conversations around hearing health, why is it important to view hearing as part of overall wellness?
Hearing plays a central role in how we experience everyday life, from conversations with family to staying aware of what’s happening around us. Yet historically it hasn’t always been discussed alongside other aspects of wellness like sleep, nutrition, or physical activity.
Increasingly, though, there’s recognition that hearing contributes directly to independence, confidence, and how actively people participate in daily routines, and that regular hearing checks deserve the same kind of attention people already give to routine doctor or dental visits.
Spearheaded by the World Health Organization and recognized annually on March 3, World Hearing Day helps highlight that broader perspective. It encourages people to think about hearing not as an isolated issue, but as something closely connected to long-term health, communication, and overall quality of life.
Encouragingly, more people are starting to consider hearing earlier, whether that’s protecting their ears in loud environments or building routine hearing checks into their preventive health habits. This growing awareness is starting to move the needle, and is elevating hearing health within the broader wellness conversation where it truly belongs.
Why do so many people wait to address hearing loss compared with other aspects of their health?
One of the main contributing factors is how subtle early hearing changes can really be. Because the shift often happens gradually, many people adapt their lifestyles subconsciously; they increase volume, rely more on context or visual cues, or avoid environments where listening feels difficult altogether.
Since communication is still technically possible, it can oftentimes feel less pressing to seek evaluation. That helps explain why research consistently shows people often wait close to a decade between first noticing hearing changes and seeking treatment for hearing aids.
Perceptions around hearing care create additional barriers. Some people still associate hearing aids with a negative aging connotation, while others assume hearing changes are simply a normal part of getting older and not something that requires proper attention.
Misconceptions about the devices themselves can also contribute—that they’re bulky or obvious, too expensive, or expected to either fully restore hearing or even somehow make it worse.
In reality, today’s hearing technology is far more discreet, advanced, and adaptable than most may realize, and properly fitted devices are designed to improve clarity and access to sound without accelerating hearing loss. Addressing those misunderstandings often helps people feel more comfortable in taking the next step toward care.
What are some subtle everyday signs of hearing changes people often miss, and what should family members or caregivers look out for?
Early hearing changes often show up in everyday communication patterns. Someone may follow one-on-one conversations comfortably but struggle more in group settings, restaurants, or environments with competing noise. They might frequently ask others to repeat themselves, misunderstand parts of conversations, or respond slightly off-topic because a word or phrase was missed.
Family members and caregivers are typically the first parties to pick up on these shifts. Common clues to be on the lookout for include increasing TV or phone volume beyond what others find comfortable, difficulty hearing from another room, or hesitation to participate in conversations that used to feel easy.
Small behavioral changes, like preferring quieter settings or letting others lead conversations, can also signal that listening has become more effortful. Noticing these patterns doesn’t automatically mean hearing loss, but they can serve as helpful prompts to check in and consider a professional hearing evaluation.
How does proactive hearing care support overall well-being in older adults?
Proactive hearing care influences more than just how well someone hears; it affects how efficiently the brain processes information and responds to the world. When sound input becomes less consistent, the effort required to make sense of conversations and surroundings increases, which can gradually affect attention and memory.
Keeping hearing well-supported helps preserve that clarity and reduces unnecessary strain. Research continues to associate untreated hearing loss with an elevated risk of cognitive decline, reinforcing the value of monitoring changes early and consistently.
There is also a meaningful safety component. Hearing plays a role in detecting movement, direction, and environmental signals, all of which contribute to balance and physical awareness. Paying attention to hearing health helps maintain not only cognitive function but also steadiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience with age.
What steps should people take now to stay proactive about their hearing health?
A great starting point is establishing a baseline hearing test, even if you haven’t noticed obvious changes. Hearing shifts often happen gradually, and having that reference point makes it easier to track subtle changes over time.
Hearing can be affected by noise exposure, certain medications, health conditions, and even everyday lifestyle factors, so routine monitoring helps keep things on track. Many hearing centers offer complimentary screenings, which can make taking the first step that much more accessible.
Simple habits also go a long way; lowering headphone volume, protecting your ears in loud environments, and paying attention to symptoms like persistent ringing in the ears can all help preserve hearing. And if conversations start to feel more effortful or people seem harder to understand, that’s usually a sign that it’s time to get checked.
World Hearing Day provides a reminder for all of us that hearing health is not, and shouldn’t be, separated from overall wellness; it shapes how we think, communicate, and engage with the world. Taking small steps today can help preserve those connections for years to come.
Jorge Rey, Au.D., CCC-A, is a Miami Beach, Florida-based audiologist at HearUSA, a national network of hearing care centers. For more safe listening tips, see Hearing Health Foundation’s Keep Listening campaign.
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