South African women face the same risk of hearing loss as men, despite global trends that have historically suggested otherwise, according to experts.

Local research shows there is little to no gender gap in hearing loss at any age. However, women’s hearing health is influenced by biological and hormonal changes throughout their lives, making awareness and early detection particularly important.

According to audiologist Riana Du Plooy of Spec-Savers South Africa, hearing changes can begin during pregnancy, when fluid fluctuations and vascular changes may temporarily affect hearing. The risk increases further during menopause as declining oestrogen and progesterone levels reduce blood flow and increase oxidative stress in the inner ear.

One clinical study found that 40% of middle-aged women showed some degree of hearing loss linked to these hormonal changes.

Lifestyle factors also play a role. As more women enter occupations with higher levels of noise exposure, experts say proactive hearing care has become increasingly important.

Despite this, many people delay seeking help. On average, individuals wait seven years after first noticing signs of hearing difficulties before consulting a professional. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 billion people worldwide currently live with hearing loss, with that figure expected to rise to 2.45 billion by 2050.

Du Plooy says many women dismiss subtle hearing changes as tiredness or background noise.

“Women are so often the ones checking in on everyone else’s health before their own. Hearing loss develops gradually and often starts with turning up the television, asking people to repeat themselves or avoiding conversations because they become difficult to follow. These are not changes women should simply accept as normal, especially when a five-minute hearing test can provide answers,” she says.

She adds that modern hearing technology has made treatment more discreet and convenient than ever before.