Support early detection, reduce risk and improve patient outcomes
Hearing changes are common, progressive, and often under‑reported—yet they can significantly affect communication, safety, cognitive load, and overall wellbeing.
As a GP, you’re often the first to notice when a patient’s hearing is changing—whether they’re asking you to repeat yourself during appointments, reporting communication difficulties with friends or family, or describing symptoms they’ve been ignoring for years such as not being able to follow conversations in noisy environments.
Untreated hearing loss is now recognised as a significant contributor to broader health risks, and timely referral can make a measurable difference.
Linked to increased dementia risk
Research shows that hearing loss is linked to a 32% higher risk of developing dementia.1 Even mild, unaddressed hearing loss can reduce auditory input to the brain, increasing cognitive load and accelerating decline. Early identification and management can support long‑term cognitive health.
Strongly associated with depression and loneliness
Patients with untreated hearing loss have a 35% higher risk of developing depression2 and nearly 50% more likely to feel mentally overwhelmed or stressed.3 Social withdrawal often begins subtly—missed conversations, reduced participation, frustration in noisy environments. Ignoring hearing loss can also significantly increase the odds of being lonely for people aged over 40.4
Impacts relationships and communication
Research also shows that hearing loss can frustrate partners, strain relationships, and affect the partner’s emotional wellbeing.5 Addressing hearing concerns early supports not only the patient, but their family and carers.
More than doubles the risk of a serious fall
Hearing plays a critical role in spatial awareness and balance. Research shows hearing loss more than doubles the risk of a serious fall,6 making early detection an important part of falls‑risk management for older adults.
Clinical indicators GPs should watch for
- The patient frequently asks you to repeat yourself during appointments
- The patient says they have difficulty following conversations in noise or group settings
- The patient mentions that they need to turn up the TV or radio’s volume louder than normal
- The patient’s family members have expressed concern the patient is missing conversations
- The patient complains of people “mumbling” or unclear speech
- The patient shows signs of reduced engagement or social withdrawal
- The patient has concerns over maintaining balance, or has had a recent fall
- The patient is showing signs of cognitive changes where hearing loss may be a contributing factor
If you recognise any of the above in your patient, a free 15‑minute adult hearing check is an appropriate and low‑barrier first step that can help identify hearing changes early and support better long‑term health outcomes. There’s no cost, no referral paperwork, and results are delivered with clear next steps. This is a quick test of the patient’s hearing that gives a good indication that they may have hearing loss, but it’s not a full diagnosis.
Alternatively, you may feel that a full hearing assessment would be more beneficial for your patient. This is done at our hearing centres by one of our expert clinicians and can take around about 1 hour to complete. The assessment will confirm if the patient has hearing loss and can benefit from wearing hearing aids. In the assessment, our clinician will also discuss their lifestyle, hearing needs and budget. If a hearing aid is recommended, they’ll show a range of suitable devices based on the assessment results. A comprehensive hearing assessment and other services may incur a fee if patient isn’t eligible for the Australian Government Hearing Services Program Voucher Scheme.* Note that we can supply the assessment report if you wish to receive a copy of this for your records.
Fear of losing their hearing can cause feelings of anxiety or stress, so some patients will be in denial that there’s anything wrong, while others will be hesitant to get a hearing check. It’s vital to help patients understand that hearing loss can be managed and that there are support services available to them.
What GPs can do
- Encourage your patients to get regular hearing checks by incorporating it into their regular check-ups so that hearing health stays top of mind.
- Explain the importance of their hearing and that it should be monitored like any other aspect of their health, such as eyesight, cholesterol or heart function.
- Display posters or have hearing check pamphlets in the waiting room to help prompt patients into taking action if they’ve noticed changes in their hearing.
Why refer to Hearing Australia?
Expert, professional hearing care
Whether it’s a free 15‑minute adult hearing check or a full comprehensive hearing assessment, we’ve got your patient’s hearing needs covered. A free hearing check is ideal for early detection and triage, but if your patients are exhibiting hearing loss symptoms, then a hearing assessment can provide an official diagnosis.
Trusted national provider
Hearing Australia is Australia’s most trusted hearing services provider as voted by Reader’s Digest readers 6 years in a row since 2021, with almost 80 years’ experience supporting adults with complex hearing needs through to anyone who simply wants a hearing check.
Clinically trained experts
Our clinicians provide clear, evidence‑based guidance and ensure your patients understand their results and next steps.
Nationwide coverage
With around 180 hearing centres nationally, and hundreds of visiting sites, your patients can access hearing care close to their home.
How the free hearing check supports your clinical care
- Early identification of hearing loss before cschemommunication or cognitive decline worsens
- Improved patient safety, particularly for older adults at risk of falls
- Better management of comorbidities where hearing loss may be a contributing factor
- Enhanced patient engagement in consultations and care plans
*Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
1. Readman, M. R. et al. (2025) ‘Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a global perspective’, Aging & Mental Health, 29(10), pp. 1831–1844. doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2515180 (accessed on 21/10/25)
2. Wei J, Li Y and Gui X (2024) ‘Association of hearing loss and risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.’ Front. Neurol. 15:1446262. doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1446262 (accessed on 22/10/25)
3. Bigelow RT, Reed NS, Brewster KK, et al. ‘Association of Hearing Loss With Psychological Distress and Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Adults in the United States.’ JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(7):e2010986. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.10986 (accessed on 21/10/25)
4. Jayakody DMP, Wishart J, Stegeman I, Eikelboom R, Moyle TC, Yiannos JM, Goodman-Simpson J and Almeida OP (2022) ‘Is There an Association Between Untreated Hearing Loss and Psychosocial Outcomes?’ Front. Aging Neurosci. 14:868673. doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.868673 (accessed on 22/10/25)
5. Barker, A. B., Leighton, P. and Ferguson, M. A. (2017) ‘Coping together with hearing loss: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the psychosocial experiences of people with hearing loss and their communication partners’, International Journal of Audiology, 56(5), pp. 297–305. doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2017.1286695 (accessed on 21/10/25 at nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/839547/coping-together-with-hearing loss-a-qualitative-meta-synthesis-of-the-psychosocial-experiences-of-people-with-hearing-loss-and-their-communication-partner)
6. Goman, Adele M et al. ‘Effects of hearing intervention on falls in older adults: findings from a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomised controlled trial’ The Lancet Public Health, Volume 10, Issue 6, e492 - e502 (accessed on 22/10/25 at thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/ PIIS2468-2667(25)00088-X/fulltext)