When hearing loss quietly cuts you off from the people and moments that matter, you may find yourself slowly retreating from the world. Gradually, the people who love you may feel like they’re losing you too.

That’s why research into hearing loss matters – it can help find new ways to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage hearing loss so fewer people miss out on life’s precious moments.

Here, Keith shares his story of gradual hearing loss and how it led to isolation and missing out on what he enjoyed most.

Living a life of loneliness

My name is Keith. I’m 78, a retired headteacher, a husband, a father and a grandfather to seven lovely grandchildren. I know how isolating hearing loss can be – and how much it means to find your way back into the conversation.

I first noticed my hearing changing in my mid-50s when I was working in an infant school for children aged 5-8. Christmas at school was frenetic – nativities, parties, concerts. It was full of excited children, music and chatter.

At lunchtime I’d sit with the children and their little high-pitched voices would tumble over one another. With everyone talking at once, I couldn’t pick out what any one child was saying to me. So, I adapted.

I’d continually ask them to repeat themselves. I developed a rudimentary form of lipreading. Sometimes, I’d simply nod in agreement, even when I hadn’t really heard – or I’d just eat my lunch and let them chatter away. Even at home, especially with my wife, I’d have to ask my family to face me when they spoke so I could lipread and see their expressions.

The hearing loss creeps up on you. I could still hear in most situations. I just had to avoid the ones where I couldn’t – pubs, restaurants, crowds. I was gradually losing my place in the conversation.

Will you give today to help someone with hearing loss feel less alone? Your kindness could help fund research that keeps more people connected to the people they love.

Hearing aids helped bring me back

It may have been 10 years or more before I finally got my hearing checked. One day, RNID came to give a talk at a local community group and what I heard changed my life.

I realised how common hearing loss was. I wasn’t unique. I didn’t need to feel embarrassed or hide what was happening. I began talking openly to my family and finally asked for a hearing test.

When I eventually received hearing aids, I couldn’t believe the sounds I was hearing. The birds singing outside, my own footsteps on the pavement, the leaves rustling in the trees. Most importantly, I heard the voices of the people I love.

RNID helped give me the reassurance I needed to take that first step. With the support of people like you, they help over 20,000 people every year navigate what can be a difficult and isolating time.

RNID helped give me the reassurance I needed to take that first step. With the support of people like you, they help over 20,000 people every year navigate what can be a difficult and isolating time.

You can give today to help someone with hearing loss feel less alone. Your kindness could help RNID provide trusted information, reassurance and support.  

Right now, there are people beginning the same lonely retreat I did.

Hearing research gives me hope

If the treatments and technologies researchers are working towards today had existed when my hearing first began to change – if hearing loss could be prevented or reversed – my life might have taken a different path.

It’s research like this that gives me hope. Hope for better treatments. Better technology. Better ways of hearing in noisy environments. Ultimately, it’s hope that future generations won’t have to miss conversations, celebrations and precious moments with the people they love.

Hearing loss can take more than sound. It can take conversations. Confidence. Music. Laughter. The feeling of being fully part of what’s going on around you – together, we can help more people stay connected to the people and moments that matter most.

Today, you can help fund vital research that could transform what it means to live with hearing loss – protecting the conversations, relationships and experiences that make life meaningful. 

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