As Australians reset their health goals for 2026, Hearing Australia is urging the community to address one important health check: hearing.
The call follows new research which shows a clear gap between awareness and action. The survey found that while one in three Australians know they should have their hearing checked at least every one to three years, only four in 10 do so.
The finding came from a nationally representative online survey of 1,022 Australian adults conducted by Lightspeed on behalf of Hearing Australia from 20 to 24 October 2025.
Hearing Australia said it was estimated that by 2060, 7.8 million Australians or nearly one in five would have hearing loss. Yet hearing health continued to fall behind other routine health checks. Only one in four Australians over age 25 have had a hearing check at a hearing clinic in recent years, compared to three in four having a blood test and dental check- up.
Hearing Australia warned that delaying action could have broader health consequences. If hearing loss remained untreated, it could affect communication, relationships and overall wellbeing, it said.
Hearing slips down the list
Audiologist Ms Deanna Connor, Hearing Australia’s product solutions manager said: “The new year is an ideal time for Australians to rethink their approach to hearing health.
“We tend to prioritise regular health checks, but hearing often slips down the list. It’s just as important and deserves the same attention.
“A hearing check is quick and easy, usually about 15 minutes. It gives you a clear picture of your hearing, and next steps if needed. Most people are surprised by how simple it is: a short chat, a quick questionnaire, a look in your ears, and a headphone test – and it’s free for adults.”
She said early identification of hearing changes allowed people to be proactive, whether that’s monitoring their hearing over time, protecting it from further damage or accessing support sooner rather than later.
Acting early could also help minimise the emotional and social impacts that often emerge when hearing loss is left unaddressed, like social isolation, cognitive strain, listening fatigue and communication breakdowns, Connor said.
“If you’re asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the TV, or noticing ringing in your ears, these could be early signs your hearing is changing,” she said. “These are clear signs it’s time for a hearing check. The good news is that it’s quick, simple, accessible, and affordable, so if something feels off, don’t wait.”
Hearing Australia’s hearing checks for adults involve one of its community hearing advisers checking the person’s hearing to determine if they may have hearing loss.
“This usually involves using a headset and testing when you hear a sound,” Hearing Australia said on its website. “This check will tell us whether you may have hearing loss and if you’ll require further diagnosis through a comprehensive hearing assessment at one of our hearing centres.”
Hearing Australia is the nation’s largest provider of government-funded hearing services for children, young adults up to age 26, pensioners, veterans and eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
For more information, or to book a free 15-minute adult hearing check in one of almost 180 locations across Australia, visit hearing.com.au or call Hearing Australia on 134 432.
Hearing Australia also offers a free online hearing check, which assesses risk levels in less than five minutes using interactive, real-world scenarios.
