Couples over 55 say one phrase more than 'I love you' - and it's causing problems

Nearly half of all couples have reportedly found themselves rowing after misunderstanding each other, with some even causing offence to their partner after mishearingwhat was said. A third of couples were discovered to bicker over mishearing their partner several times a week, leading to feelings of frustration, neglect, disconnection, and even a lack of affection.

Specsavers, who commissioned the research, joined forces with celebrity couple Hilary and Michael Whitehall to stir up controversy by staging public stunts that demonstrate how Michael's hearing issues impact their daily life. Following some speculation, the couple revealed that many of their squabbles were down to Michael's previously undiagnosed hearing loss.

Michael admitted: "I've always blamed our usual bickers on Hilary's mumbling. After a little persuasion, I had a hearing check at Specsavers and it turns out, I have a little bit of hearing loss... Who knew?".

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"Safe to say, missing half the conversation isn't ideal in a marriage. Now I've been fitted with hearing devices I've realised how much I was missing before – and the issues my hearing was causing."

Hilary added: "For a long time I thought Michael was just ignoring me or not getting my jokes. Unsurprisingly, or at least not to me, Michael's hearing check identified a little bit of hearing loss."

"Now we know that's what's going on and he's got a hearing device, we're bickering less and laughing more," Hilary added.

Nearly half of those surveyed confessed to having to speak louder so their partner could hear them properly. In addition, the research revealed that couples ask one another to repeat things an average of four times each week – with one in five doing this seven times weekly or more.

Many have had to confront their partners when they thought they weren't listening to them during important discussions such as family matters or how they were feeling.

When questioned about potential remedies for these problems, couples suggested patience, understanding, and avoiding cutting each other off was key.

Another 24 percent said getting a hearing test would also be helpful. For many couples, at least one person had already urged their partner to book a hearing assessment.

Relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan said: "Miscommunication in relationships is one of the most common issues I hear about in my couples practice.

"For some, it's that they're having trouble expressing themselves, or that they don't have the tools to resolve a difference of opinion, but in many cases, it's a result of couples not hearing other correctly.

"This can cause marital tension, frustration, so if this sounds familiar in your relationship, don't put off seeking expert help."

Specsavers hearing specialist, Sonam Sehemby, has raised concerns about the widespread issue of hearing loss in the UK, stating: "18 million adults in the UK have hearing loss and many don't realise that they are missing parts of the conversation. Since it develops gradually, people often wait up to ten years before seeking help."

She emphasised the impact on personal relationships, saying: "But when hearing loss starts to affect relationships, it's time to act – a hearing check can help couples reconnect and truly hear each other again."