Heanor optician reveals half of adults believe young people have lost the art of listening
A local optician is campaigning to safeguard the art of listening after a survey revealed nearly half of parents and grandparents believe younger generations have become significantly worse listeners, with devices and digital distractions blamed for the decline.
The research, commissioned by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care for Hearing Awareness Month, which has a branch on Market Street, Heanor, found that in a world dominated by digital 'chatter', meaningful family conversations are being drowned out by notifications, scrolling and screen time – a trend that poses particular challenges for many older people whose hearing naturally deteriorates with age.
Good hearing is fundamental to staying connected with loved ones. However, when conversations are peppered with distractions and family members aren't fully engaged, it becomes even more difficult for those experiencing hearing loss to follow along, which can lead to feeling disconnected from their family and friends.
The survey findings support this concern. Nearly one in two (48%) respondents with children or grandchildren under 25 believe young people today are worse listeners than their generation, with almost half (47%) reporting that younger family members regularly use devices during conversations.
The study reveals a stark disconnect between what families know they should do and what they actually practice. While nine in ten (89%) respondents believe that tech-free meals improve family communication, fewer than half (48%) have a 'no technology' policy during dinner, and nearly one in three (32%) report that phones and devices regularly interrupt their family dining experiences.
The generational communication gap extends beyond the dinner table. More than half (51%) of conversations between older respondents and their younger family members now happen through texts and messaging apps rather than voice-to-voice communication, despite only 38% of older respondents preferring this digital-first approach.
The survey also highlights growing concerns about hearing health in younger generations, with nearly one in five (18%) respondents expressing worry about younger family members' hearing due to loud music and prolonged headphone use.
Scrivens branch manager, Stephanie Jarvis, said: "Our survey reveals a truth many families recognise but struggle to address; we're physically present but mentally absent, spending less time truly listening and more time scrolling. For older family members dealing with natural hearing decline, this divided attention makes communication even harder. When you're straining to hear and the people around you are distracted by their devices, you can feel invisible in your own family.
"While we can't turn back time on technology, we can take proactive steps to protect our hearing for decades to come by following the 60-60 rule: listen to music at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time, then give your ears a break.
"It’s a fact that our hearing naturally deteriorates with age, so for those over 45, we strongly encourage annual hearing assessments. Early detection allows us to intervene sooner and maintain better communication with loved ones. It's never too late to prioritise your hearing health and regular check-ups ensure you won't miss out on those precious family conversations that matter most."
This Hearing Awareness Month, Scrivens is urging families to reclaim the dinner table by removing digital distractions to make space for meaningful conversations and listening. They are also challenging families to take the Hearing Check Challenge, with its quick and easy online hearing test.
Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care is a family run business which was established over 85 years ago in 1938. It has 166 high-street stores in towns and cities across England and Wales, with 1,000 employees. For more information, visit scrivens.com.
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