This may sound like an odd question, but it’s one worth thinking about.

Not everyone who suffers from hearing loss is ready to act and improve their hearing. If you feel stuck in limbo and aren’t sure if you need, or even want, to do something about your hearing problems, then consider sitting down and sparing some time to think things through.

You don’t have to have a profound problem for things to improve. For example, think about an activity you enjoy and the circumstances in which you do it.

Perhaps you belong to a quilting group that meets regularly. When everyone is sitting round chatting, how does it feel when you miss some of the banter and jokes? Do you ever find yourself laughing just because everyone else is but with no real understanding of why? Be honest with yourself about how this makes you feel.

This situation can subtly undermine your self-confidence. It may take away some of the enjoyment of your hobby, because you begin to feel marginalized in group situations. Taken a step further, you may feel inhibited about enrolling for the group trip to a quilting exhibition, as your hearing problems are exaggerated when there is background noise.

Given this scenario, try weighing what there is to gain against what you have to lose if you get a hearing test. Ask yourself what’s holding you back from booking that appointment, and remember to be honest.

If you still need motivation, talk to a close friend or family member, and ask them about their perception of your hearing. They may be grateful for this opportunity to bring up a subject they have been avoiding for fear of offending you. It’s entirely possible small actions such as turning up the TV or not responding to small talk have already alerted them to the problem, but they were too considerate to mention it.

If this is the case then ask them how it affects them. They may well say that they want you to hear better so you can fully engage in activities and miss you participating in family conversations.

When your focus is on concealing a problem, or even denying it exists, it’s easy to ignore that hearing loss has an effect on those closest to you. If you were wavering about getting a hearing test, then understanding how others are affected can be a deciding factor.

There is little to fear and everything to gain by getting a hearing evaluation. Addressing a mild problem not only improves your hearing, but also benefits your social life and mental health. And if the thought of a clunky hearing aid is a disincentive then you should know that modern devices are so small and discrete that they can fit within the ear canal and be virtually undetectable. Act now to improve your hearing health.