Hearing loss is common and treatable
Hearing loss affects 1 in 6 adults - 750 million adults worldwide.
Understanding the signs and seeking treatment 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 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 thought to be a symptom 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 believe you may have hearing loss, the first step is to schedule a hearing evaluation with a hearing care professional. Audiologists and hearing specialists have the training and technology needed to thoroughly evaluate your hearing and recommend the right treatment for your needs.
DON’T WAIT TO SEEK HELP
Experts recommend addressing hearing loss sooner rather than later. Untreated hearing loss has been associated with increased risk of falls, social isolation, and cognitive decline. Early evaluation and treatment can help protect your overall health and quality of life.
“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
TAILORED TREATMENT FOR YOUR HEARING
If hearing loss is confirmed during your evaluation, hearing aids are the most common and effective treatment. When properly fit by an experienced hearing care professional, hearing aids can significantly improve hearing for most people.
Because every person’s hearing is different, hearing aids should be carefully selected, programmed, and customized to your specific hearing needs and lifestyle. Ongoing follow-up care and adjustments are also important to ensure the best results.
Modern Hearing Aid Technology
Today’s hearing aids are smaller, more comfortable, and more advanced than ever before. Many models include rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration, and advanced sound processing.
From nearly invisible devices that fit deep in the ear canal to wireless options that stream sound from your phone or TV, modern hearing aids provide clearer, more natural listening in everyday life.
