We all use our selective hearing sometimes, let's be honest. But it will come as no surprise to many that new research shows men are officially 'worse' than women when it comes to strategically ignoring stuff.
The study, from Scrivens opticians, found that men typically use their selective hearing seven times in a week, while women use it just six.
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It might not sound like much of a difference, but this means that men ignore their partners 388 times in a year, while women only do the same 339 times in total.
However annoying this may seem, experts at Scrivens Hearing Care, marking Hearing Awareness Month, warn this could be more than simple "laziness".
More than half of adults admitted they are concerned their partner's "selective hearing" could be a result of genuine hearing difficulties.
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Around four in 10 even went as far as to say they 'know with certainty' their other half struggles to hear.
Plus, six in 10 said their spouse had a tendency to watch telly or listen to the radio too loudly.
And it's having an affect. Four in 10 participants said they got frustrated at social gatherings due to their inability to hear
Scrivens senior hearing aid audiologist, Kirran Saimbi, said: "Most of us will have experienced 'selective hearing' - either being the accused or the accuser.
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"But joking aside, 'selective hearing' could be a sign of hearing loss. Left ignored, hearing loss can lead to isolation, depression and there is evidence of a link with dementia.
"The changes in our hearing are often so subtle and happen over time, that it can be very hard for us to notice the impact it's having on our lives and those around us.
"That's why regular hearing checks are so important."
You can get free hearing tests on the NHS by visiting high street locations, such as opticians.
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