Why so many older adults are delaying treatment for hearing loss

As we get older, our bodies change in many ways—one of the most common and often overlooked changes is hearing loss. Nearly two in three adults over the age of 60 experience some degree of hearing decline, a number that rises to almost 90 percent for those aged 80 and older.

Despite how prevalent hearing loss is, a third of adults aged 55 and older report they wouldn’t seek treatment until their hearing loss became severe enough to interfere with daily life.

This reluctance is partly due to cost concerns—more than two-thirds of adults in this age group, who aren’t currently receiving treatment, say they find hearing aids or cochlear implants too expensive.

These findings were revealed as part of Cochlear’s ‘Healthy Ears, Healthy Years’ survey, which surveyed over 4,000 adults across the Asia Pacific region to mark World Hearing Day 2025 on March 3. The survey included 1,200 Australians aged 25 and older.

Ravin Nand, General Manager of Australia & New Zealand at Cochlear, emphasised that financial barriers shouldn’t deter individuals from seeking treatment.

“Don’t overlook your hearing because of concerns about financial barriers,” Nand said.

“In Australia, funding options exist for cochlear implants and other hearing devices. The main funding options are private health insurance, government health schemes, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Dr Brent McMonagle, Pediatric and Adult ENT Surgeon, highlighted some signs of hearing loss and stressed the importance of getting a hearing test if you experience any of them.

“Signs of hearing loss may include difficulty following a conversation or asking people to repeat themselves, difficulties on the phone, speaking loudly and problems communicating in noisy environments such as busy restaurants,” McMonagle said.

“Other signs may include ringing in the ear, turning up the TV or radio to a volume that disturbs others and an inability to hear high-pitched sounds.

“I would urge anyone experiencing these symptoms not to delay and seek a hearing test with a health professional.”

World Hearing Day is held on March 3 each year to raise awareness about how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.