Hearing a child’s first word is best moment in life, poll finds
Falling in love for the first time, getting your first pay packet and hearing your baby's first cry also feature in top 20 most enjoyable events
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Hearing a child’s first word has been voted as the best moment in life – ahead of when they were born, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults found the heart-warming family memory also beat getting married.
But actually having a baby is only the third best moment in life, chosen by 46 per cent of British men and women.
Falling in love for the first time, getting your first pay packet and hearing your baby’s first cry also feature in the top 20.
The study, conducted by high street hearing specialist Hidden Hearing, also revealed other top life milestones including getting your first job, hearing someone you love say “I love you too” and buying your first home.
Jennie Bond, royal correspondent and ambassador for the Campaign for Better Hearing, said: “There are so many magic moments in life where your hearing plays a vital role.
“For example, my daughter Emma’s first little cry when she was born or hearing Brian May twang out the national anthem from the roof of Buckingham Palace for the Golden Jubilee.’’
While many women’s best moment in life is having a baby, this was overtaken for men with getting married, buying your first home and passing your driving test.
Almost one in five men even named their football team winning a major trophy as a top moment, ahead of hearing a “yes” when they proposed to their partner.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, found eight in 10 Britons believe hearing is one of the key senses necessary to enjoy life’s most precious moments.
However, more than a quarter of those aged 45 and over are currently putting up with, or have previously put up with, a hearing issue.
One respondent admitted they couldn’t hear their daughter recite her wedding vows because of their hearing problems.
Another missed a vital phone call due to not hearing the ringtone and lost an opportunity to purchase a dream house.
Hidden Hearing is supporting the Campaign for Better Hearing to get everyone, especially those over the age of 55 in the UK, to have a regular hearing test to help stay on top of their health and ensure they enjoy life’s most enjoyable moments.
As part of the campaign, Hidden Hearing is offering up to five free pairs of hearing aids each month, one for every 1,000 free hearing tests they carry out to people who otherwise couldn’t afford them.
Jennie Bond added: “One of the highlights this year is going to be the wedding of Harry and Meghan at Windsor Castle.
“The crowds will be enormous, I’m really looking forward to it as I’ll be able to hear what everyone is saying, thanks to my hearing aid.”
Top 20 best moments in life for women
- Having a baby
- Hearing your child’s first word
- Getting married
- Buying your first home
- Passing your driving test
- Falling in love for the first time
- Hearing someone you love saying “I love you back”
- Finding out you’re pregnant/going to have a baby
- Hearing your baby’s first cry
- Hearing your child say “I love you” for the first time
- Getting your first pay packet
- Being proposed to
- Seeing your favourite band live
- Your first kiss
- Buying your first car
- Graduating from university
- Getting your first job
- Your first holiday without your parents
- Hearing your child say “I do” when they get married
- Getting your GCSE/A-level results
Top 20 best moments in life for men
- Getting married
- Hearing your child’s first word
- Your first kiss
- Passing your driving test
- Buying your first home
- Having a baby
- Falling in love for the first time
- Hearing someone you love saying “I love you back”
- Getting your first pay packet
- Buying your first car
- Getting your first job
- Hearing your baby’s first cry
- Your favourite football team winning a major trophy
- Hearing your partner say they are pregnant
- Seeing your favourite band live
- Hearing your partner say yes to your proposal
- Hearing your child say ‘I love you’ for the first time
- Your first holiday without your parents
- Graduating from university
- Getting your GCSE/ A-levels results
SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments