“I Can Hear, But I Can't Understand”: An Audiologist Explains What Patients Really Mean

“I can hear, but I can't understand.”

This is one of the statements I hear from patients more often than people might expect.

As an audiologist, I have seen how confusing this experience can be. A person may hear the television, notice when someone is speaking, and hear sounds around them, yet still struggle to understand the actual words—especially when there is background noise or several people are talking.

That is why, during my consultations at Insono Hearing Solutions, I don't begin by asking only, “Can you hear?” I try to understand how the person is hearing in their everyday life.

I often ask patients about situations that may seem ordinary but can reveal a lot about their hearing. Are conversations with family becoming difficult? Do they hear the television but miss parts of the dialogue? Do they find it harder to follow conversations in restaurants, gatherings, or other noisy environments? Are they frequently asking people to repeat themselves?

These details help me understand the difference between simply detecting sound and actually understanding speech comfortably.

A professional hearing assessment is an important part of this process. It allows me to evaluate the patient's hearing levels and understand the nature and degree of their hearing loss. But I also consider their lifestyle, communication needs, and the situations in which they experience the most difficulty.

One thing I often explain is that hearing more does not always mean understanding better.

When speech sounds unclear, many people instinctively turn up the television or increase the volume on their device. But louder sound isn't necessarily clearer sound. The right approach depends on the individual's hearing profile and the environments in which they need hearing support.

This is also why I don't believe that choosing a hearing aid should be based on a hearing test result alone.

At Insono Hearing Solutions, I take time to understand the person behind the hearing concern before discussing a suitable hearing solution. If a hearing aid is recommended, its selection, fitting, and programming should be considered according to the patient's hearing requirements, lifestyle, and listening needs.

Every patient experiences hearing difficulty differently. One person may struggle mainly in crowded places, while another may find conversations with family or watching television increasingly difficult. Understanding these differences allows us to provide more personalized hearing care.

In my experience, one of the most valuable parts of being an audiologist is helping patients understand what is actually making communication difficult. Sometimes, the first step isn't about making sound louder. It is about understanding the problem more clearly.

If you can hear sounds but frequently struggle to understand speech, don't simply assume that you need more volume. A professional hearing assessment can help you understand your hearing needs and explore whether a suitable hearing solution could support clearer and more comfortable communication.

— Mr. Manoj Kumar Audiologist & MD, Insono Hearing Solutions