Is this the best hearing aid model for me?

If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you? In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case. Audiologist level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you. Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need? Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it. If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. In the meantime, read all about our review of the best hearing aids for 2025 here

Do I need one hearing aid or two?

If you have significant hearing loss in both ears, you should be wearing two hearing aids. Here are the audiological reasons why: Localisation: The brain decodes information from both ears and compares and contrasts them. By analysing the minuscule time delays as well as the difference in the loudness of each sound reaching the ears, the person is able to accurately locate a sound source. Simply put, if you have better hearing on one side than the other, you can't accurately tell what direction sounds are coming from. Less amplification is required: A phenomenon known as “binaural summation” means that the hearing aids can be set at a lower and more natural volume setting than if you wore only one hearing aid. Head shadow effect: High frequencies, the part of your hearing that gives clarity and meaning to speech sounds, cannot bend around your head. Only low frequencies can. Therefore if someone is talking on your unaided side you are likely to hear that they are speaking, but be unable to tell what they have said. Noise reduction: The brain has its own built-in noise reduction which is only really effective when it is receiving information from both ears. If only one ear is aided, even with the best hearing aid in the world, it will be difficult for you to hear in background noise as your brain is trying to retain all of the sounds (including background noise) rather than filtering it out. Sound quality: We are designed to hear in stereo. Only hearing from one side sounds a lot less natural to us. Fancy some further reading on this topic? You can read about why two hearing aids are better than one in our article, h earing aids for both ears , here

What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind the Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery. Looking for more information on rechargeable hearing aids? Read our dedicated page on the topic here

Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One m anufacturer has no channels at all.

Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty coverage for £80 per year per aid. Find out more about this service we provide here

How much does the hearing test cost?

All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what hearing healthcare services we offer all our customers here

Do home visits cost extra?

Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services, even in a care home environment, for no extra cost. Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information about our home visits here

How come you're much cheaper than other places?

Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world. Explore our prices, brands, and models here

High-Pitched Sounds Like Birdsong Are Fading

I Can't Hear High-Pitched Sounds Like Birdsong

Do I Have Hearing Loss?

Overview | Signs to look out for | Causes | The next steps | Conclusion

Have you ever stopped in the moment, surrounded by nature, and realised something feels a bit off? Maybe the trees are rustling, the breeze is blowing, but that familiar sound of birdsong seems a little quieter or missing entirely. You might wonder: Is it the birds or is it me?

If high-pitched sounds like birdsong, beeping alarms, or the hum of electronics are starting to fade, you’re not alone, and yes, it might be a sign of hearing loss. In this article, we briefly discuss why high frequencies are often the first to go and what you can do about it.

What's actually happening when we can't hear high-pitched sounds?

Our ears are incredible, delicate, but also complex systems designed to pick up a huge range of frequencies, from the low rumble of thunder to the high chirp of a bird. But like any system, they can wear down over time. The cells in your inner ear (called hair cells) are responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical signals that your brain can understand.

These cells don’t regenerate. Over time, especially with regular exposure to noise, the hair cells that respond to higher frequencies are often the first to become damaged. This kind of hearing loss is called high-frequency hearing loss, and it’s one of the most common types, especially as we get older.

Related reading: High-frequency hearing loss: What you need to know

Signs you might be experiencing high-frequency hearing loss

It’s not always a dramatic decline, the signs can creep in slowly, such as:

You can’t hear birdsong or insects as clearly, especially if you used to notice them.
Voices seem muffled, particularly women’s or children’s, which are naturally higher-pitched.
You struggle to understand speech in noisy places like restaurants or busy meetings.
You often think people are mumbling or not speaking clearly.
Alarms, beeps, or phone notifications are less noticeable, or you miss them entirely.

Is this normal, or is it a problem?

A certain amount of hearing change is a normal part of life. The gradual loss of high-frequency sounds often starts as early as your 30s or 40s, though you might not notice it until much later. This is called age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). That said, just because something is common doesn’t mean it should be ignored.

Your hearing health is deeply connected to your overall well-being, affecting your brain, mood, memory, relationships, and even safety. If any of this feels familiar, it’s worth paying attention and checking in with a professional if you notice changes.

Related reading: How hearing loss can affect quality of life

What causes high-frequency hearing loss?

Besides age, a few other common causes include:

Noise exposure to loud music at concerts, using power tools, being in loud workplaces, and using earbuds at high volume.
Genetics can be a cause, as some people are more predisposed to hearing loss.
Certain medications, like some chemotherapy drugs or high-dose antibiotics.
Health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Head injuries or ear infections that impact the inner ear.
Sometimes, hearing changes come from temporary blockages, like wax buildup or fluid in the ear, but these tend to affect all frequencies, not just the high ones.

What should I do if I think I have hearing loss?

First things first: get your hearing tested. You can even start with a free online hearing screener to get a rough idea, but a proper hearing assessment by an audiologist is the only way you will get the most accurate picture of how well you are hearing. If high-frequency hearing loss is confirmed, don’t worry, there are solutions that will help.

For example, hearing aids are the most effective solution. They have come a long way, and today’s devices are discreet, smart, and can be programmed specifically for the frequencies you're missing.

Some connect directly to your phone or stream music and calls via Bluetooth. Some even include advanced hearing technology like onboard artificial intelligence (AI).

You might also be advised to make some lifestyle tweaks, like:

Using protective earwear in loud environments.
Turn down the volume when using headphones.
Being mindful of your overall health.

Related reading: Our free online hearing test

You’re not alone, and you're not too young to have hearing loss

One of the biggest myths is that hearing loss only affects older adults. But high-frequency hearing loss can show up at any age, especially in our world where we’re surrounded by constant sound.

Recognising the signs early means you can take steps to protect your hearing, stay connected, and continue enjoying all the little sounds that bring life richness, like a bird singing.

So if that birdsong feels like it’s fading, don’t brush it off. Your ears are telling you something, and it might be time to listen. Hearing is more than just sound. It’s connection, awareness, safety, and joy. Whether it’s a concert, a child’s laughter, or the quiet flutter of wings in the trees, you deserve to hear it all.

I can't hear the birds. Do I have hearing loss?

The article looks at how fading high-pitched sounds, like birdsong, can be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss. It explains common causes such as age, noise exposure, and health conditions, and highlights symptoms like trouble hearing speech or alarms.

It encourages early hearing checks and offers reassurance that hearing loss is common and manageable, with options like hearing aids and simple lifestyle changes. The tone is calm, professional, and focused on raising awareness without alarm.

High-Pitched Sounds Like Birdsong Are Fading. Do I Have Hearing Loss?