In a restaurant, several people are talking at once, and plates are clattering. You can hear people talking, but you can’t make out individual sentences. A hearing screening starting at age 50 helps you realistically assess such changes. This is because early-stage hearing loss often manifests as unclear speech and conversations that become tiring. If you know your hearing status, you can take action in time.

Hearing changes over the course of a person’s life. Age, noise, illness, and other factors can affect hearing. Often, high-pitched voices and soft sounds are the first to become unclear. The brain initially compensates for missing auditory information. That is why many people do not notice a hearing loss until it is too late.

Many people don’t notice hearing loss until conversations, phone calls, or situations with background noise become tiring. “Hearing loss doesn’t just lead to communication problems in acoustically challenging situations, such as large groups, in the presence of background noise, or in large, echoing rooms. It also often leads to social isolation among those affected,” explains PD Dr. Jan Löhler, President of the German Professional Association of Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctors (BVHNO).

This can lead to a decline in brain function. Hearing loss also affects the sense of balance, increasing the risk of falling.

A hearing screening starting at age 50 can provide early guidance and pave the way for a professional evaluation and appropriate support. The EuroTrak Germany Hearing Study 2025 shows that 35 percent of people aged 50 to 60 have never had a hearing test, and for 27 percent, their last hearing test was more than five years ago. Further public education is needed to encourage more people to have their hearing checked regularly and, if necessary, to get hearing aids.

Hearing loss can manifest itself in various ways in everyday life. Pay special attention to these situations:

• You frequently ask people to repeat themselves or can only figure out words from context.
• Conversations in groups, at restaurants, or in the presence of background noise require a noticeable amount of effort.
• Family or friends point out that the TV or radio is turned up too loud.
• High-pitched voices, birdsong, or soft sounds seem less clear.
• You experience a sudden decline in hearing—especially in one ear—along with a feeling of pressure or ringing in the ears.

1. Have your hearing checked regularly starting at age 50. A hearing screening starting at age 50 provides an initial assessment, even if you don’t yet suspect you have significant hearing loss.
2. Take any changes seriously. Frequently asking people to repeat themselves, keeping the TV volume too high, or having trouble hearing in groups are good reasons to get a hearing test.
3. Protect your ears from noise. Wearing hearing protection at concerts, in noisy workplaces, or while doing home improvement projects can reduce avoidable damage.
4. Seek medical help promptly if you experience sudden symptoms. Sudden hearing loss should be evaluated by an ENT specialist as soon as possible.
5. Keep the conversation going. Be open about it if you didn’t understand something, and ask for a quieter environment to talk.

Modern hearing aids can emphasize speech, reduce background noise, and adapt to different listening environments. Depending on the features, they can also stream phone calls, music, or TV audio directly. The key is individual customization: Hearing aids shouldn’t just be as loud as possible, but should provide clear and comfortable support.

Getting used to them takes time. The brain needs to readjust to sounds that have been less clear for an extended period. That’s why trial periods, fine-tuning, and follow-up care go hand in hand.

The hearing care professional will test your hearing, discuss your daily life, and advise you on suitable hearing aids. Once you’ve selected a hearing aid, it will be customized to your needs. Feedback from situations at home, in restaurants, on the street, or during conversations with family helps with fine-tuning. The care process also includes instruction on operation, care, maintenance, and regular checkups.

If a screening result is abnormal, the next step is an examination by an ENT specialist. This clarifies possible causes and determines whether medical treatment is necessary.

The Federal Association of the Hearing Aid Industry and the German Professional Association of Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctors are advocating for the inclusion of a simple hearing test for people aged 50 and older in the list of services covered by statutory health insurance plans. Until such a service is available nationwide, you can take matters into your own hands.

Have your hearing checked by an ENT doctor or hearing care professional. Use the hearing care professional search tool to schedule a consultation or learn more about hearing tests. If you experience sudden or significant changes in your hearing, please contact an ENT doctor as soon as possible.

A hearing screening starting at age 50 provides peace of mind and can be the first step toward finding the right hearing solution. Detecting changes early can help you better support communication, safety, and social participation. Take the next step now: Use our hearing specialist finder or learn more about our online hearing test.