Whilst Australians pour billions each year into wellness fads and trends – from run club memberships to sleep tracking and contrast therapy – one critical aspect of lifelong health is being ignored: Hearing.
A new surveyii conducted by Audika Australia to highlight World Hearing Day exposes a worrying gap—while 84% of Australian respondents aged 40+ know that untreated hearing loss can affect mental health, only 21% consider getting their hearing checked annually.
Despite hearing loss being linked to cognitive decline, social isolation, and reduced quality of life [iii], in a worrying trend, it is often deprioritised compared to other health concerns. 74% of Australians who responded haven’t had a hearing check believing they don’t need one. With a staggering 96% unaware of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 60/60 rule for safe listening[iii]—which advises keeping volume below 60% and limiting headphone use to less than 60 minutes per day to prevent long-term damage—Australians are unknowingly putting their hearing at risk.
The missing piece in Australia’s wellness obsession
The Australian wellness industry is reportedly valued at AUD $173 billion, ranking it 11th globally, with Australians spending big on fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness. This surge reflects a collective shift towards self-improvement and well-being, with many prioritising preventative care and proactive health choices.
Despite this, hearing health continues to be overlooked. While 80% of Australian respondents aged 40+ visit their GP regularly, and 75% undergo routine health checks like blood tests or eye exams, only 30% prioritise hearing assessments. This stark contrast highlights a disconnect between general health consciousness and the role of hearing in overall health and wellbeing.ii
Why are Australians ignoring their hearing?
While recognising the risks, the survey shows many Australians are still avoiding hearing checks due to stigma or fear, despite hearing loss being a common and manageable condition. Denial plays a significant role—74% of those surveyed believe they don’t need a test, often dismissing hearing loss as an age-related issue, 9% delay testing for fear of diagnosis, unaware that early intervention can prevent further decline. An additional 11% aren’t aware of the importance of regular hearing checks, meaning thousands may be unknowingly living with untreated hearing loss.
While 16% cite affordability as a major deterrent, 7% of Australians surveyed have undergone cosmetic procedures like veneers, hair transplants, or injectables, highlighting a concerning ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality, prioritising more visible beauty and wellness investments over something as fundamental as hearing health.
Empowering Australians to take action
This World Hearing Day 2025, Audika is on a mission to challenge mindsets and make hearing care as routine as an eye exam or dental check-up, with Audika client and former Miss World Australia, Sabrina Maddock (née Houssami), sharing her personal story diagnosed at just 26 with otosclerosis, demonstrating how early intervention transformed her confidence and wellbeing.
“We invest so much in our wellbeing, from fitness routines and clean eating to beauty treatments, yet hearing health is often left behind,” shares Sabrina. “For years, I struggled to keep up in conversations, feeling isolated without understanding why. When I finally got my hearing checked at 26, it was both a shock and a relief to have an answer. I’m grateful I acted when I did, and through my experience, I’ve learned that being proactive about your health is the most empowering tool of all.”
Making hearing a wellness priority
Access to hearing care should be a fundamental right, and everyone deserves to hear life’s best moments. By rethinking the role of hearing in overall wellbeing, incorporating the 60/60 safer hearing protection practices into daily wellness habits and scheduling regular hearing checks, Australians can take meaningful steps to preserve their auditory health and continue enjoying the sounds that enrich their livesiv.
This World Hearing Day, Audika is encouraging all Australians over 26 to ‘Love Your Ears’ by visiting their closest clinic for a free hearing check this Hearing Awareness Week (1-7 March), or take the five-minute online hearing check via https://www.audika.com.au.
References
[i] Global Wellness Institute. (2024). Wellness Economy Monitor 2024II
