How to Spot and Manage Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide
Hearing Health Quiz: Is It Time for a Checkup?
Take this short self-assessment to see if you might benefit from a hearing screening or assistive device. Select all that apply.
As we age, some changes are expected -silver hair, reading glasses, maybe a few more creaks when we get out of a chair. But hearing loss often sneaks up quietly, and many seniors ignore the early signs. Addressing it early can make a big difference, not just in what you hear, but in how you connect with the world around you.
Early Signs of Hearing Loss
It’s common to chalk these symptoms up to “background noise” or mumbling, but they might actually be signs of hearing loss:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy environments
- Turning the TV or radio up louder than others prefer
- Turning the TV or radio up louder than others prefer
- Avoiding social gatherings due to difficulty following conversations
If these sound familiar, it may be time to take the next step.
Why Hearing Loss Matters
Untreated hearing loss isn’t just an inconvenience; it can impact your mental health, safety, and cognitive function. Studies show a link between hearing loss and:
- Increased risk of depression and social isolation
- Higher chance of falls due to imbalance
- Cognitive decline, including dementia
Thankfully, today’s solutions are better than ever.
Prevention Tips: Protecting Your Hearing
While some hearing loss is part of aging, there are ways to protect what you have:
- Lower the volume: Keep headphones or TVs at a safe level.
- Wear hearing protection: Use earplugs at concerts, while mowing the lawn, or using loud tools.
- Manage chronic conditions: High blood pressure and diabetes can affect hearing.
- Avoid cotton swabs: They can damage your ear canal or push wax deeper.
- Get regular checkups: A baseline hearing test is a great idea after 60.
Affordable Solutions: Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Good news! As of 2022, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are now available, no prescription or audiologist visit required. They’re designed for mild to moderate hearing loss and are:
- More affordable than traditional hearing aids
- Easy to use with smartphone adjustments
- Available online or in-store
Some popular and well-reviewed OTC brands include:
Jabra Enhance
Jabra ranked #1 on Forbes Health – Best Over The Counter Hearing Aids with a score of 9.9 out of 10.
Editor’s Note: I have experience with this hearing aid. My father has hearing loss, and after an elderly friend raved about these, we gave them a try. My father felt like they were helping, and we scheduled a hearing test with their online audiologists to get them adjusted specifically for him. Unfortunately, they said the test revealed his hearing was too severe for these and suggested we return them for a refund. They were easy to use, and we were disappointed that he couldn’t get them adjusted, but appreciated their honesty. He received his refund as soon as they were returned.
Lexie B2 Powered by Bose
The National Council on Ageing gave Lexie Hearing Aids their highest possible ranking for sound quality- 5 out of 5, and an overall score of 9.6 out of 10. From their review, “Lexie hearing aids are durable, discreet, and offer high-quality sound for a bargain price. The company also provides lifetime support from professional audiologists for your Lexie hearing aids. “
Eargo
Eargo also scored well at the NCO, receiving an overall score of 9.5 out of ten. They note: “Eargo has brought some of the only invisible OTC hearing aids to the market, and one of the only earbud-style hearing aids with Bluetooth streaming.”
⚠️ If your hearing loss is severe, or one ear is worse than the other, you should see a specialist for a full hearing exam.
When to See a Specialist
Even if you’re not ready for hearing aids, it’s smart to visit a hearing care professional if:
- You notice a sudden drop in hearing
- You’re experiencing ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- You feel off balance or dizzy
- You have a history of ear infections or injury
They can perform a simple, painless hearing test and help guide next steps.
Hearing loss doesn’t mean you have to miss out on life’s best conversations, grandkids’ laughter, or your favorite music. With today’s technology, you have more choices than ever to stay connected, independent, and confident.
Source: NIH
The JABRA pro is the hearing aid for moderate to severe hearing loss Costco carries them.
That’s the one my dad tried. We bought it on Amazon and it was super easy to send back, etc.
My hearing aids were life changing and my loss was not severe! I also have short hair and they are virtually unnoticeable! If you are “on the fence” about needing/wanting, etc. I encourage you to get a hearing evaluation (I use an audiologist and get mine in our medical system but friends are very pleased with the audiologist and aids from Costco, etc.). From the first day I was so happy and wondered why I waited so long!
I’m so glad they worked for you! Thanks for the encouragement!
Your primary care doctor can also check your ears to see if you have a build up of wax, which you may not even think of as a cause of hearing loss you get older. I was referred to a specialist as my wax was so bad that her simple in-office cleaning was not effective. My ears were so dry that it took the ENT’s technician 45 minutes to clean both ears. (I have a medical condition that damages moisture-producing glands so they recommend returning annual for checking & cleaning).
Great advice! Thanks for reading and the feedback. 🙂