UKHCA conference to focus on protecting hearing in a changing world

The changing ways we work, listen to music and experience noise will be at the heart of the UK Hearing Conservation Association’s (UKHCA) annual conference in Manchester on 3 November.

Organised with the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), UKHCA 2026: Hearing Conservation – Making an Impact will bring together specialists from regulation, occupational health, audiology, academia and industry to explore ways to protect hearing at work and in everyday life.

The focus is shifting from measuring noise exposure to preventing harm through stronger risk management, effective hearing protection, health surveillance and public awareness. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will update delegates on its new workplace noise campaign, setting out the regulator’s priorities and what they mean for employers.

The programme also looks beyond traditional workplace noise. Sessions will consider recreational noise and young people’s hearing, ways to engage Gen Z with hearing protection, and how the World Health Organization’s Global Standard for Safe Listening can be put into practice at music venues and events.

Other topics include hearing protection effectiveness, the value of training, occupational health and audiology practice, safe noise exposure for hearing aid users, and the business case for noise risk management. The programme will also consider how case law has influenced claims for hearing damage.

The wider effects of hearing loss will be addressed too, including research into the association between hearing impairment and depression among older adults.

Clare Forshaw, UKHCA founder and director, told That's Heath that protecting hearing means understanding how people encounter sound, use protection and identify damage early. People should value their hearing before it is affected.

The conference will feature contributions from the HSE, RNID, the British Society of Audiology, the Ministry of Defence and Tinnitus UK, alongside researchers from UK and international universities.

For the first time, the event will also host the UKHCA Hearing Conservation Champions Awards, recognising people and organisations making a positive contribution to hearing conservation.

Professor Kevin Bampton, chief executive of BOHS, explained that noise-induced hearing damage is preventable, but effective prevention means treating hearing as worth protecting throughout working and wider life, not simply meeting compliance requirements. He added that collaboration between occupational hygiene, audiology, acoustics, occupational health, research and regulation is essential to turn knowledge into better prevention.

For the full programme and booking details, visit the UKHCA 2026 conference page.

https://www.bohs.org/

As a personal note even though I spent the six years in the mid to late 1970s in a noisy industrial working environment wearing hearing protection I still suffered some hearing loss.

The Unknowingly Deaf: When Hearing Loss Creeps Up Without You Realising

Hearing loss is often imagined as something sudden, dramatic, or obvious. In reality, for millions of people, it happens slowly and quietly over many years. so quietly that they may not even realise it is happening.

The “unknowingly deaf” are people living with hearing loss without recognising the signs. They may think everyone mumbles these days. 

They may turn the television up louder than everyone else prefers. They may constantly ask people to repeat themselves. 

Some become known as “the loud one” in the family because they speak or shout far louder than necessary without realising it.

In many cases, the problem is gradual hearing deterioration combined with tinnitus, the persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring sounds in the ears that only the sufferer can hear.

Tinnitus itself can be exhausting. For some people, it becomes a constant background noise that interferes with conversations and makes it difficult to distinguish speech, particularly in pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, or busy workplaces. 

Over time, the brain adapts in ways that can mask just how much hearing has actually been lost.

One of the biggest warning signs is volume. People with undiagnosed hearing loss often increase the volume of televisions, radios, phones, and even their own voices. Friends and family may notice long before the individual does.

Another common sign is misunderstanding conversations. Someone may answer the wrong question, laugh at the wrong moment, or appear distracted when, in truth, they simply have not heard properly. This can sometimes lead to frustration, embarrassment, social withdrawal, and even anxiety.

The issue is far more common than many realise. Hearing loss is not just an “old person’s problem.” Long-term exposure to loud music, industrial noise, headphones, traffic, machinery, concerts, and even repeated infections can all contribute. Stress and fatigue can also worsen tinnitus symptoms.

Unfortunately, many people delay getting help because hearing loss develops so gradually that it feels normal. Others fear stigma around hearing aids, despite modern devices being smaller, smarter, and more effective than ever before.

The good news is that recognising the problem is the first step. Simple hearing tests can identify early hearing damage, and treatment or hearing support can dramatically improve quality of life. Protecting hearing from further damage is equally important, especially in noisy environments.

If somebody you know constantly shouts, struggles to follow conversations, or keeps asking “What?” there may be more going on than simple distraction. They may genuinely not realise how much hearing they have lost.

Sometimes the people most affected by hearing loss are the last to notice it.

Your GP can organise a referral to the audiology department at your nearest NHS hospital, or you can book an appointment with a private audiologist, or check out the offerings from high street hearing aid centres. Some opticians not only offer hearing aid services they can offer combined spectacles and hearing aids.

The British Academy of Audiologists can be of help https://baaudiology.org 

Landmark military hearing loss claims judgment is a major win for UK Armed Forces veterans

A new High Court judgment is being welcomed as an important step forward for UK Armed Forces veterans living with hearing loss and tinnitus after service.

The case, Abbott and Others v Ministry of Defence [2026], looked at claims for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) brought by former members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. 

For many veterans, this decision could be life-changing, as thousands of similar cases have been waiting for guidance from the courts.

Military life can expose service personnel to extreme levels of noise. Weapons fire, explosions, aircraft, armoured vehicles, engineering work and maintenance duties can all create long-term damage to hearing. 

While these risks are often accepted as part of service, the lasting impact can continue for decades after leaving the forces.

Hearing loss and tinnitus are often dismissed as minor problems, but for many veterans, they affect every part of daily life.

Something as simple as chatting with family at home, following a conversation in a busy pub, or hearing clearly in a restaurant can become frustrating, exhausting and, at times, impossible. Many veterans begin avoiding social situations altogether because they feel embarrassed, anxious or isolated.

Some also report knock-on effects reaching much further, including depression, loss of confidence, substance misuse and social withdrawal.

The High Court ruling recognised military hearing loss should not simply be assessed in the same way as industrial workplace hearing loss. The Court found the traditional CLB method, commonly used in factory and workplace claims, is not generally suitable for military cases.

Instead, the Court preferred a military-specific diagnostic approach known as rM-NIHL, which better reflects the unique noise exposure faced by service personnel.

The judgment also looked at how hearing loss should be measured, how military hearing tests should be treated, how tinnitus claims should be approached, and whether private hearing aid costs may be recoverable.

This clarity matters.

Veterans deserve fair assessment, proper support and recognition of the injuries they have sustained while serving their country. Hearing damage may not always be visible, but its effects can be deeply personal and long-lasting.

Alongside legal support, there is also growing recognition that recovery goes beyond compensation. The newly established Sentinel Foundation aims to support injured veterans with issues including PTSD, traumatic brain injury, addiction and homelessness, helping them access treatment and long-term rehabilitation.

Because for many veterans, the battle does not end when service does.

If someone has given years of their life in uniform, often at enormous personal cost, they deserve to know they will not be left to struggle alone.

Sometimes, being heard starts with recognising the silence hearing loss can create.

Sentinel Legal has welcomed the judgment. Sam Ward, Director of Sentinel Legal told That's Health: “Today’s judgment is a major moment for UK troops and veterans.

“For many former service personnel, hearing loss and tinnitus are not minor issues. They can affect conversations at home, family life, work, confidence and day to day independence."

“Sentinel Legal has spoken to hundreds of veterans who have described the devastating impact these injuries can have."

http://www.thesentinelfoundation.com

What to Do If You Think You Have Hearing Loss (or If Your Spouse Thinks You Do)

Hearing loss often creeps up gradually, which means you may not notice the changes right away. 

In fact, it’s often a partner, family member, or friend who first points out that you’re missing parts of conversations or turning up the TV a little too high.

 If you’ve started to wonder whether your hearing isn’t what it used to be—or your spouse has gently suggested the same—here’s what to do next.

Recognise the Signs

Common early signs of hearing loss include:

Struggling to follow conversations in busy places

Asking people to repeat themselves often

Feeling that others are mumbling

Turning the TV or radio up louder than those around you prefer

Finding phone calls more difficult to follow than before

If these sound familiar, it’s worth taking them seriously.

Talk About It Openly

If your spouse or family member has raised concerns, it can feel frustrating or even embarrassing. But remember, their perspective is valuable—they may be noticing things you don’t. 

Have an honest conversation without defensiveness. Hearing difficulties don’t just affect you; they affect those around you too.

Get a Hearing Check

The simplest way forward is to have your hearing tested. In the UK, you can:

See your GP – they may refer you for a hearing test with the NHS.

Book directly with an audiologist – many high street opticians and hearing centres offer free hearing checks.

Use online screening tools – these can give a rough indication, but they’re not a substitute for a professional test.

Don’t Delay

Hearing loss isn’t just about missing a few words. Left untreated, it can affect relationships, social confidence, and even mental health. 

The sooner you take action, the better your quality of life will be. Modern hearing aids are discreet, comfortable, and far more advanced than many people imagine.

Support Each Other

If it’s your spouse who’s struggling with hearing, patience and encouragement go a long way. Avoid nagging or shouting—stay calm, listen to their concerns, and offer to go with them to an appointment. Tackling the issue together can make the process less daunting.

The Bottom Line

Hearing changes are a natural part of life for many of us. Ignoring the signs won’t make them go away, but taking the first step towards a hearing test can open the door to clearer conversations and better connections.

If you think your hearing—or your partner’s—has declined, make that appointment today. It could transform not just your hearing, but your everyday life.

I have to admit that it took me a while to acknowledge that I was suffering from a mild hearing loss. The result of several years working as a technician in a foundry when I was very young. Even though I always wore hearing protectors.