Trouble Hearing in Noisy Places – you are not alone

At Fairfield Hearing we’re dedicated to helping people to hear better. So we were interested in a recent study that investigated the hearing health of adults in Britain.

The new study revealed a surprising and potentially worrying statistic, namely, that three in five UK adults have difficulty following conversations in noisy environments, a phenomenon which is known as the ‘cocktail party effect’. This means that in busy pubs, cafes, or even family gatherings, many people struggle to focus on the person they’re talking to over background noise.

The survey reported:

62% of respondents said they ‘sometimes’ or ‘occasionally’ struggle to hear conversations in noisy places.
Nearly 1 in 10 (8%) admitted to ‘always’ having difficulty hearing in noisy environments.

Yet, and this is important, despite these challenges, almost half (43%) of adults have never had their hearing checked.

This lack of regular hearing checks is particularly concerning because hearing loss is a significant issue for us in the UK. 12 million adults are affected, and it can lead to social isolation, communication difficulties, and cognitive challenges too.

Early signs of hearing loss often include struggling to hear conversations clearly, needing people to repeat themselves, and feeling fatigued or stressed after social interactions.

The Importance of Regular Hearing Checks

The good news is that hearing loss can be managed effectively, and the sooner you get a hearing test, the sooner you can take steps to protect your hearing health.

At Fairfield Hearing, we offer comprehensive hearing assessments in a friendly, welcoming, purpose-designed environment. Our experienced audiologists will work with you to understand your specific needs (including a range of tests specifically designed to measure how well you can hear in noisy environments). We will then recommend the best course of action, whether that’s hearing aids or simply personalised advice on how to protect your hearing.

It’s simple really. Prioritise your hearing health just as you would your eye or dental health.

If you’re concerned about your hearing, please contact Fairfield Hearing today to schedule your hearing assessment.

Phone: 0131 378 5800
Email: [email protected]

Based on Research from Eargym.

About the author and our chief audiologist

Stephen Fairfield BSc (Hons) Audiology – Audiologist, Fairfield Hearing (Edinburgh)

Stephen Fairfield is a fully qualified audiologist and founder of Fairfield Hearing in Edinburgh. He provides independent hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, and specialist domiciliary (home visit) audiology services across Edinburgh and Scotland.

His clinical approach focuses on careful assessment, clear explanation, and practical hearing solutions tailored to individual listening needs. All assessments are carried out personally by Stephen to ensure continuity of care, clinical accuracy, and professional accountability.

• BSc (Hons) in Audiology
• Clinical training in diagnostic hearing assessment and hearing aid rehabilitation
• Extensive experience providing domiciliary (home visit) hearing care
• Expertise in modern digital hearing aid programming and rechargeable hearing aid technology
• Patient-focused appointments with time for questions and clear next steps

Last reviewed and updated: 21st April 2026