Start the Year Strong: Simple Hearing Tips for a More Comfortable 2026

Start the Year Strong: Simple Hearing Tips for a More Comfortable 2026

A new year brings the chance to reset. It’s a time to ease back into routines, focus on what matters, and build healthy habits that support your wellbeing. Your hearing health can be part of this gentle reset, too. With small, everyday actions, you can feel more comfortable, more connected and more confident as you move through 2026. 

In this helpful blog, we’ll dive into simple tips that can support your hearing throughout the year.

Be Mindful Of Listening Fatigue

Many people don’t realise that listening requires energy. Research shows that listening in noisy environments or concentrating for long periods may increase what’s known as listening effort, which can contribute to feelings of tiredness.¹ According to studies, people with hearing loss often report higher levels of listening fatigue in busy environments.² 

It can be helpful to:

• Take short breaks in quieter areas during long conversations.
• Pause between activities that require concentration. 
• Notice when your ears or mind feel tired and give yourself permission to rest.

These small resets can help you stay present without feeling overwhelmed, leading to a more comfortable listening experience.

Choose Comfortable Communication Habits

Thoughtful communication habits can make everyday interactions feel easier. Studies have found noisy or visually distracting environments can increase listening effort, especially for people with hearing loss.² Thankfully, with a few mindful adjustments you can feel more connected during conversations.

You may like to try:

• Facing the person you are speaking with: Being able to clearly see someone’s face may make speech easier to interpret and help you stay connected during the conversation.
• Choosing well-lit spots at cafés, gatherings or at home: Good lighting helps you see facial expressions and lip movements, which can support understanding and reduce the effort required to follow conversations.
• Reducing background noise when possible: Small changes like switching off a TV or moving to a quieter corner may reduce competing noise and make voices clearer. 
• Using gentle communication cues: Phrases like “Could we slow down a little?” or “Can you repeat that last part?” may help create a more comfortable pace for everyone involved.

These habits can support clearer, more enjoyable conversations. They may also help you feel more confident throughout the year, particularly in social or busy settings where listening can be more demanding. 

Check Your Volume Choices

Safe listening is important all year long. The World Health Organisation recommends moderating volume levels on listening devices, as higher volumes over time may contribute to changes in hearing.³ 

To protect your hearing when listening:

• Keep your listening volumes at a comfortable level: When using headphones or earbuds, it’s recommended that noise levels be kept to 70 decibels (dBA) or lower.⁴ This often aligns with listening at a moderate volume, rather than maximum. Sounds at 85 dBA or above can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than eight hours at a time.⁵ 
• Take breaks from headphones throughout the day: A few minutes of quiet may help prevent listening fatigue. 
• Be mindful of loud household noises: Everyday appliances like blenders or vacuum cleaners can reach high sound levels, even for short bursts. Reducing the time you spend near these sounds, switching appliances off when not needed, or leaving the room while they’re running may help limit unnecessary noise exposure.⁶
• Avoid extended periods of loud noise exposure: Using noise-mitigating strategies like noise-canceling headphones, quiet breaks, or ear protection can also be helpful. 
• Pay attention to how your ears feel: If sounds feel sharp or tiring, lowering the volume or taking a short break may help. 

These simple actions can help you stay aware of your sound environment. If you have any concerns about protecting your hearing, reach out to a hearing care professional who can offer personalised advice and support.

Start The Year With Simple Hearing Aid Care

If you wear hearing aids, beginning the year with a simple care routine may support everyday comfort when wearing your devices. Regularly cleaning hearing aids can help maintain clarity and reduce small issues that can build up over time.⁷ 

A basic cleaning routine should include:

• Wiping your devices daily with a dry cloth.
• Checking that domes and filters are clear.
• Ensuring your hearing aids are fully charged before the day starts.
• Keeping devices away from heat and moisture.

If you’re unsure about how best to care for your hearing aids or are looking to get them serviced, pop in to your local Connect Hearing clinic. Our team of friendly clinicians and client care representatives can help you care for your devices. Alternatively, if you are unable to visit our clinic, you can call our Remote Support Team on 1300 443 279 to get help with your devices over the phone.

Consider A Baseline Hearing Check

If you’ve been thinking about booking a hearing check but haven’t had time, the start of the year is a great moment to do so. A hearing check can give you a clear picture of your hearing and also helps to support overall wellbeing. Many people find that having a baseline helps them stay proactive and informed as their hearing changes over time.

Small listening and hearing habits can play a helpful role in how comfortable and supported you feel day to day. Whether it’s taking a break when the world around you feels too loud or giving your hearing aids a quick clean, these gentle steps can support your comfort each day. 

If you’ve been curious about your hearing or want a clearer baseline for the year ahead, a hearing check can be a helpful place to begin. Book an appointment at your local Connect Hearing clinic today. Our team of experts is here to guide you, answer any questions, and help prioritise your hearing health in 2026.

References

1. Ear Hear (23 February 2018), Listening Effort: How the Cognitive Consequences of Acoustic Challenge Are Reflected in Brain and Behavior, National Library of Medicine, accessed 5 December 2025. 
2. Trends in Hearing (4 June 2023), Listening Effort in Quiet and Noisy Environments in the Daily Life of Adults with Hearing Aids: An Extended Version of the Effort Assessment Scale (EEAS), National Library of Medicine, accessed 5 December 2025. 
3. World Health Organization (21 March 2025), Deafness and hearing loss: Safe listening, www.who.int, accessed 5 December 2025. 
4. American Speech-Language Hearing Association (n.d.), Loud Noise Dangers, www.asha.org, accessed 5 December 2025.
5. University Hospitals (24 October 2024), Protect Your Hearing: Safe Listening with Earbuds, www.uhhospitals.org, accessed 5 December 2025. 
6. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (30 January 2024), Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed 5 December 2025.