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AIBU?

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Original poster

To realise it’s actually me.

109 replies

jaysrocks · 07/09/2026 16:43

I met up with my mum recently, we don’t live very near but the whole time she kept asking me to repeat myself as she said she thought she must be losing her hearing.

Dh has kept asking me to repeat myself over the last few weeks too and started wondering if there’s something wrong with his hearing.

I made an important phone call today with a very apologetic lady who thought she must be losing her hearing.

My children keep asking me to repeat myself.

I called out to the usually friendly neighbour who didn’t respond.

Today my child’s teacher had a quick chat but kept asking me to repeat myself because she couldn’t hear very well.

Lastly we just popped into the pharmacy for my prescription and I had to say my very simple last name 3 times before being asked to spell it because the man behind the counter said he was a being a bit deaf.

It’s not a bad hearing epidemic is it?

Am I losing my hearing? Would that make my voice quieter ?To me I sound the same.

OP posts:
comeoncolleen · 07/09/2026 18:15

Strange. Can you speak loudly if you make the effort? You could ask someone to monitor you.
One possibility is that your lungs aren't working quite as well as usual so you are trying to talk with too little breath. A session with a voice coach could be helpful.

Original poster
jaysrocks · 07/09/2026 18:15

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No I don’t think my hearing has changed but then I didn’t think my own voice had I can still hear it and it sounds as it always has and so does everyone else to me.

OP posts:
fedupandtired1 · 07/09/2026 18:15

I had Covid last year and lost my hearing for 6 months . I spoke very quietly when I couldn’t hear so I was told . I think I was paranoid I was shouting at people so must of adjusted my volume

Homewithdd · 07/09/2026 18:15

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Homewithdd · 07/09/2026 18:14

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LilacBalloons · 07/09/2026 18:12

Error404FucksNotFound · 07/09/2026 16:53

Losing your hearing would not make you speak more quietly. (ime)

You are either mumbling or perhaps slurring your words.

Ask your husband.

Edited

I disagree - I suffered a temporary loss of hearing due to a double ear infection once, and it resulted in me speaking much more quietly than usual. It was because I couldn't assess the volume of my own voice at all, so out of fear that I was talking very loudly I overcompensated in the opposite manner and was extremely quiet. It was strange because I felt like I was doing a good job of talking at my usual volume, but in reality I was miles too quiet.

OP I do think it would be worth getting a hearing test, just to rule out any issues. If your hearing is fine and it's just a case of volume or enunciation you can work on those things, but rule out a medical cause first.

Mygosh · 07/09/2026 18:12

Definitely get a hearing test. This happened to me too, I have high frequency hearing loss.

Try to speak slower, pronounce words correctly and face towards people when you talk.

Bikergran · 07/09/2026 18:11

My SIL speaks softly and mumbles, it's a nightmare trying to understand/hear her. Maybe try recording yourself and listen back to it?

Original poster
jaysrocks · 07/09/2026 18:11

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41 and no nothing else at all.

OP posts:
LilWoosmum82 · 07/09/2026 18:11

LilWoosmum82 · 07/09/2026 18:10

Hi ive had hearing loss since childhood and i talk quietly. I have trouble with projecting my voice, and when im drunk im v loud. I can't get the volume right accept on the phone xx

Oddly my daughter is quite loud, she automatically adjusts for me.

Homewithdd · 07/09/2026 18:10

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LilWoosmum82 · 07/09/2026 18:10

Hi ive had hearing loss since childhood and i talk quietly. I have trouble with projecting my voice, and when im drunk im v loud. I can't get the volume right accept on the phone xx

Original poster
jaysrocks · 07/09/2026 18:09

Dery · 07/09/2026 17:52

"ScotiaLass · Today 17:02
Having blocked ears can make you talk more quietly because you can hear your own voice more loudly inside your own head. I'd make an appointment at Specsavers to get your hearing checked. They can also suction wax out of your ears if necessary to remove a blockage and restore your hearing."

@jaysrocks - it clearly is you so you do need to try and get to the bottom of this. As @ScotiaLass has suggested, have you had any ear infections recently that could have left your ears blocked? My hearing isn't brilliant and I naturally speak quite loudly (sometimes too loudly), however, when I went through a phase of ear infections some years ago, my ears got bunged up and I was convinced i was shouting when in fact i was talking really quietly. That said, I knew I had the bunged up ears and it doesn't sound like you're aware of any such thing for yourself.

I haven’t had any ear infections, I do have a very noisy toddler who can hit some decibels and often set my watch off warning me of the dangerous noise levels but I can’t think of anything else.

OP posts:
Thisisit26 · 07/09/2026 18:07

This is probably totally unrelated @jaysrocks but do you have any other symptoms of anything. I know someone with Parkinsons and their voice has become so low like the volume is way lower .. I have to strain to hear them. This is common with Parkinsons, they have no temour but they have other very clear Parkinsons symptoms. I know it’s prob nothing to do with your situation but it’s the only time I’ve heard a voice become so low and difficult to hear.

Truetoself · 07/09/2026 18:07

Why don’t you record your voice on your phone and listen back to it?

Homewithdd · 07/09/2026 18:05

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hellotomrw · 07/09/2026 18:04

I have eustacian tube dysfunction and when it flares I talk quietly as cant tell my own volune

Homewithdd · 07/09/2026 18:04

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EternalFogInMyNotSoSpoltlessMind · 07/09/2026 18:02

I have quite a high level of hearing loss and people often say that I'm softly spoken, I have a hard time adjusting my voice louder but try to be conscious of it if I'm talking in public/ formal settings.

PuzzledObserver · 07/09/2026 18:02

You can do the online hearing test easily, and many high street audiologist do a free 5 minute screen. If it indicates an issues, they will then recommend a full hearing test.

However, age-related hearing loss tends to come on very gradually, whereas your husband is indicating this has changed in the past few weeks. On that basis, I would see your GP.

Hollowvoice · 07/09/2026 17:57

ScotiaLass · 07/09/2026 17:02

Having blocked ears can make you talk more quietly because you can hear your own voice more loudly inside your own head. I'd make an appointment at Specsavers to get your hearing checked. They can also suction wax out of your ears if necessary to remove a blockage and restore your hearing.

Yes, this. Happens to my DH when he has wax build up, to him he sounds really loud so speaks more quietly but then he's too quiet for everyone else

HollyhocksandPeons · 07/09/2026 17:54

Some people just speak like that - Peter Hitchens on YouTube. Mumbles, I can only understand 40% of what he is saying, have to use subtitles.

Dery · 07/09/2026 17:52

"ScotiaLass · Today 17:02
Having blocked ears can make you talk more quietly because you can hear your own voice more loudly inside your own head. I'd make an appointment at Specsavers to get your hearing checked. They can also suction wax out of your ears if necessary to remove a blockage and restore your hearing."

@jaysrocks - it clearly is you so you do need to try and get to the bottom of this. As @ScotiaLass has suggested, have you had any ear infections recently that could have left your ears blocked? My hearing isn't brilliant and I naturally speak quite loudly (sometimes too loudly), however, when I went through a phase of ear infections some years ago, my ears got bunged up and I was convinced i was shouting when in fact i was talking really quietly. That said, I knew I had the bunged up ears and it doesn't sound like you're aware of any such thing for yourself.

Yellowpingu · 07/09/2026 17:49

Arcticsway · 07/09/2026 17:26

If you were beginning to have hearing loss, you would know (IME). Can you still hear other people as easily as you used to, do you have to turn up the TV louder than usual, do you hear when someone knocks at the door? Do you miss things happening because you didn't hear the cues?

If none of the above, it is unlikely you are talking quietly due to suffering hearing loss yourself. Ask your husband exactly what the problem is with your speech, and if he has only noticed it recently.

Definitely not my experience! I actually have the TV on very low. I was shocked when, on a long journey, there was something on the radio that resonated with me and suggested anyone experiencing XYZ should do the online hearing check on RNID website. I did and was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss in both ears. Until listening to that radio program I had absolutely no idea!

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 07/09/2026 17:45

This doesn't sound like hearing loss IMO.

I would be more worried about something impacting your speech. I think you need to make a GP appointment.