HEARING FEAR: Ammanford star Owain Wyn Evans warns “I was missing conversations”

The Ammanford-born broadcaster and drummer says he first noticed something was wrong when he started missing parts of conversations — after years performing in loud environments.

“It was a shock,” he admitted. “I realised I was turning the volume up more and missing things people were saying.”

Now the 42-year-old is fronting a campaign with Specsavers — urging people not to ignore the warning signs.

The new research paints a worrying picture.

A staggering 45% of adults in Wales say their hearing has changed in recent years — yet more than a quarter haven’t taken any action and don’t plan to.

Even more concerning, over a third say they’ve never taken steps to protect their hearing at all.

For Owain, the issue goes beyond health — it’s about identity.

“Sound is such a huge part of who we are in Wales,” he said. “From the countryside to the sea — those sounds connect us to home.”

And the data backs him up.

• 72% say a Welsh accent makes Wales feel like home
• 60% say it’s the sound of a choir
• 73% say singing at rugby and football matches brings people together

But those sounds could be at risk.

More than a third of people report ringing ears or muffled hearing after gigs — a key warning sign of damage.

Experts say hearing loss often happens gradually, meaning people delay getting help — sometimes for years.

Owain is now urging people to act early before it’s too late.

“Protecting our hearing means protecting those connections,” he said.

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Power goes out from storm. Lights go out. Everything is dark.
Daughter and her mother come downstairs with headlamps and stand over me (laptopping on the couch) possibly talking.

Me: Wait, wait. I'm half deaf, it's the middle of the night, and I'm not wearing hearing aids. The power is out, so it's pitch dark except for both of your headlamps shining in my eyes so I can't see your mouths. I think you might be talking.

Daughter and ex at the same time: [lower headlamps] The power is out!

#thingsThatHappened #family #storm #hearingloss

🔬 New Research

Treating Hearing Loss With Hearing Aids for the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Over 7 years, older adults with hearing loss who used hearing aids had a 5% rate of dementia, compared to 7.5% among those who did not use them.
Cognitive problems were reported in 36% of hearing aid users versus 42% of non-users.
Observational

#HearingLoss #CognitiveHealth #HearingAids

https://s.fitbodyscience.com/h7tT5B

'Get medical help' if you can't hear sounds like rain or leaves

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/get-medical-help-you-cant-36815526

Hive mind! My partner has fairly extensive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and is meant to wear hearing aids but found the NHS ones very uncomfortable.

We’re looking at private options, and I’m wondering if anyone in my network has any recommendations for something comfortable that can be worn with glasses.

#HearingLoss #A11y

I'm at an academic conference. A presenter just said "surprise! Workshop!" We are all supposed to discuss some issues and develop some recommendations then switch tables and do it again a few times.

The audience seems mostly cool with this and enthusiastic. I have a lot of difficulty understanding speech in many situations (bc hearing loss) so I made an excuse and left.

I guess this is about disability and accessibility but I don't have even a little criticism for the presenter. There are a lot of experiences that work for many people but not for others. I don't think we should stop providing experiences just because not everyone can benefit equally or participate. I would also have left the room if there was a special hearing amplification system available--i have some in my ears already and don't want to become someone's logistical problem.

Typing this I realized what I do want: to explain my exit to the speaker so he doesn't feel bad.

#hearingloss #academia

One day I woke up from a nap because my cat was touching my arm. When I opened my eyes, I saw him open his mouth. He was meowing, but I couldn't hear him.
So I wrote this little poem, with a little sadness and a little acceptance. For all those sounds I love that are fading away as I become increasingly deaf...

My native language is Spanish so I put the original and then the translation.

Los pájaros se han ido
Los loros ya no juegan
en las ramas
La lluvia ya no canta
y el viento apenas sopla
Las risas de los niños
los perros del vecino
y la voz de ella
se alejan poco a poco
El silencio me devora
lentamente...

The birds have left
The parrots no longer play
on the branches
The rain no longer sings
and the wind barely blows
The children's laughter
the neighbor's dogs
and her voice
gradually fade away
The silence slowly devours me...

Perhaps the most painful loss is the loss of oneself, when time slowly steals away your gifts and treasures...

#deafness #hearingloss #deaf #silence #sordera #hipoacusia #silencio #actuallyautistic #autoimmune #poetry #poem

Hearing aids cost €2000+. They require appointments, fittings, adjustments.
For many people that's simply not accessible.

We make simpler tools. An iPhone app. A standalone device with four buttons. Not replacements for medical devices, but bridges for people who need help now.

Technology should lower barriers, not create them.

#a11y #HearingLoss #AssistiveTech