How Podcasts Are Changing the Way We Listen

Whether it’s a true crime series, a comedy chat, or a motivational interview on your morning walk, there’s no doubt about it – podcasts have transformed how we listen.

With over 5 million podcasts available and more than 460 million listeners worldwide, audio content has become one of the most popular ways to relax, learn and feel connected. But at The Hearing Clinic, we’ve noticed something else too: podcasts are also revealing more about how people hear – and what happens when they can’t.

Deep listening is back – but not everyone’s invited

Unlike music or TV, podcasts demand a specific kind of focus. There are no visuals to rely on. Instead, listeners are tuning into tone, accent, background noise, and voice clarity – all of which require strong hearing and auditory processing.

If you find yourself saying, “I can’t keep up with podcasts,” or “They all sound the same after a while,” it might not be your concentration. It could be your hearing.

Could your struggle with podcasts be hearing loss in disguise?

Many people with mild or gradual hearing loss first notice the issue in situations just like these:

·         Struggling to follow fast-paced or soft-spoken voices

·         Mishearing words without realising

·         Fatiguing quickly during focused listening

·         Turning up the volume but still missing the message

Podcasts are typically compressed audio files, and that compression can reduce clarity – especially for people with high-frequency hearing loss, where consonants and fine speech details are affected.

Tired after listening? That’s a red flag

Listening fatigue is a real phenomenon. If your brain has to work overtime to decode what your ears are missing, you may feel mentally exhausted – even after a quiet walk or a few episodes of your favourite show. This can also be a sign of auditory processing difficulties, which we can assess at The Hearing Clinic.

What you can do

 🎧 Choose high-quality podcasts with clearer audio and less background music
 🎚️ Adjust playback speed and volume to suit your needs
 🧠 Take regular listening breaks and notice how you feel afterwards
 👂 Book a hearing check if listening feels harder than it used to

We’re here to support better listening, however you tune in

Whether you’re struggling with speech clarity, fatigue, or simply want to make the most of your listening habits, we’re here to help. Our expert audiologists can assess your hearing and guide you to the right next steps – including discreet hearing aids that sync directly to your phone or podcast app.

Book Online or Call The Hearing Clinic to book an appointment today:
 01462 506074 (Hitchin) 01923 372101 (Radlett)
 01707 594979 (Welwyn)