Watch David Lindo – at the RSPB Franchises Wood nature reserve – as he talks to Caroline Fitton from the Wildlife Trust about their hearing and a joint love of nature.
Love your ears
Our hearing connects us to nature, which is why when we lose a part of our hearing, it can feel like we lose a part of ourselves. But we don’t have to let this happen. Love your ears so you can keep hearing & enjoying nature.
Click the button below to see whether you’re still hearing birdsong clearly.
David Lindo, aka the Urban Birder
David is a birdwatcher and author, and is particularly interested in getting those who live in cities to engage with the environment through birding. He is Vice President of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and a regular on TV and radio, including BBC’s ‘Springwatch’.
David has been deaf in one ear after catching mumps as a child and now wears hearing aids which he describes as “my ear binoculars”.
“In my world, I see people struggle to hear birds and wildlife. And I believe your ears are as important as your eyes when you want to enjoy nature!”.
Use the button below to read David’s full story.
Dawn chorus – are you hearing clearly?
Listen to four different birds commonly known for their high-pitched songs.
Just press the 'play' button on the video.
Caution: Audio needs to be at a safe listening level. Make sure to have your volume control set to 60% (60 dB) or less.
If you feel like you are missing clarity in the different birdsongs, it might be worth taking our free, five-minute online hearing test.
“When colleagues were identifying bird calls, I couldn't even hear anything.”
As a Wildlife Trust employee, being able to hear clearly is so important to Caroline. She had been struggling with her hearing for around 10 years when she developed tinnitus (a ringing in the ears) following the death of her husband.
Thanks to our Give Back Programme, Caroline wears Oticon Intent™ hearing aids which have helped change her life.
“Getting the right help for my hearing was so important to me,” Caroline says. Now I can hear everything – from the gregarious chatter of goldfinch and long-tailed tits to the return of spring’s full orchestra of dawn choruses and tuneful nightingales.”
Find out more about Caroline’s hearing loss journey.
How to Love Your Ears in 5 Simple Steps
1. Protect your ears from noise exposure.
2. Too much ear wax can build up and block the ears.
3. Pay attention to your hearing; if you notice a change, get it tested.
4. Have your ears tested at least every 2 years if you are over 55, and more often if you already have hearing loss.
5. If you’re already using hearing aids, make sure that you get them serviced regularly.
Love Your Ears is a nationwide campaign helping us all to care for ourselves and our hearing by raising awareness of:
The numbers
1 in 5 people in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, including 40% of over 50s, and increasing numbers of younger adults in their 30s and 40s.
The causes
Lifestyle, ageing, illness and medical conditions can all cause deafness and hearing loss. Losing the ability to hear is not an inevitable part of getting older; it can be prevented.
The stigma
We’re on a mission to normalise the wearing of hearing aids, so that wearing them is seen as normal as wearing a pair of glasses.
The denial
People tend to ignore the signs of hearing loss for years before finally seeking help – on average, for 9–10 years. It’s often friends and family who’ll notice a change in your hearing before you do.
The risks
Research has linked untreated hearing loss to our risk of developing dementia, depression and social isolation, while young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits, including using headphones too loudly for too long.
The benefits
Research has found that people who take action on their hearing feel more empowered, are happier, have better relationships, increased self-esteem and a more active social life.