Hearing loss is common and treatable
About 1 in 6 U.S. adults, 37.5 million people, report some trouble hearing.
Understanding the signs and getting help early can make a meaningful difference in your quality of life.
Because hearing loss often develops gradually, it’s important to recognize the early signs.
Common signs of hearing loss
You frequently ask others to repeat themselves
If you frequently ask others to repeat themselves or rely on lip-reading to follow conversations, your hearing may be changing.
You turn the TV to a volume others find loud
When you can’t have a conversation because your TV is too loud, it’s time to get a hearing test.
You have trouble understanding conversations in noisy places
Difficulty following conversations in noisy places, like restaurants, is often an early sign of hearing loss.
You have difficulty hearing women's and children's voices
High-frequency hearing loss is common, which often makes women’s and children’s voices more difficult to hear.
You feel like others are mumbling
People with hearing loss often feel like others are mumbling or not speaking clearly.
You have trouble hearing on the phone
Persistent difficulty hearing on the phone may indicate hearing loss.
You avoid social situations that were once enjoyable
People who can’t engage easily, feel left out of conversations, or who have bad experiences trying to hear in public spaces often decide it’s easier to decline invitations and stay at home.
You have ringing in your ears
Ringing in your ears is often a sign of hearing loss or damage to the auditory system, and hearing loss and tinnitus very often go hand in hand.
You are told by others that you have hearing loss
If friends or family frequently mention your hearing, it may be time for a hearing test.
Hearing loss impacts all aspects of your life
Hearing plays a major role in our emotional well-being, physical health, and overall quality of life.
Yet many people leave hearing loss untreated. Research links untreated hearing loss with increased risk of falls, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
Hearing loss treatment
While most hearing loss is not reversible, it is highly manageable with proper treatment.
What to do if you have hearing loss
If you think you may have hearing loss, the first step is a hearing test with a hearing care professional. Audiologists and hearing specialists have the training and equipment to test your hearing and recommend the right next step. Sooner is better than later.
Many health plans include a hearing benefit. Not sure about yours? We'll check for you.
Treatment that fits your hearing
If your hearing test confirms hearing loss, hearing aids are the most common and effective treatment. When properly fit by a hearing care professional, hearing aids help most people hear better.
Because every person's hearing is different, hearing aids should be carefully selected and programmed for your hearing and your lifestyle. Follow-up care and adjustments are part of getting the best results.
Today's hearing aids
Today's hearing aids are smaller and more comfortable than ever. Many include rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth, and smartphone apps. Some fit nearly out of sight in the ear canal, and others stream sound from your phone or TV. See our hearing aids.
“If you want to address hearing loss well, do it sooner rather than later…before brain structural changes take place.”
— Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. Johns Hopkins Medicine
