Having Trouble Hearing? Find Out If Hearing Aids Can Help

As many as 36 million Americans report some degree of hearing loss. While hearing loss can happen suddenly, more often, it occurs gradually over a number of years. As you grow older, hair cells in your inner ear that pick up sound waves become damaged or die, and the cells do not regenerate; this type of age-related hearing loss cannot be reversed. Sadly, the majority of people who could benefit from hearing aids don’t use them.

“The biggest mistake people make is to do nothing about their hearing loss for a long time ,” says Joseph Montano, EdD, associate professor of audiology at Weill Cornell Medical College. “If you wait several years before seeking treatment, you are more likely to have increased hearing loss by that time, and you’ll probably have more difficulty adjusting to hearing aids. The earlier you begin the process of establishing baseline information about your hearing level and monitoring it over the years, the easier it will be to live with hearing loss.”

Signs of Hearing Loss

You probably are experiencing some degree of hearing loss if you have difficulty hearing when in restaurants, in groups, while watching television or movies, when talking on the phone, or when talking with children.

People at an increased risk of hearing loss are those who work or live in an environment where the level of background noise is high. Medications are the culprits behind some hearing loss; studies have shown that more than 200 medications can affect hearing and balance. Medications that may cause hearing loss include some antibiotics, diuretics (“water pills”), chemotherapy drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioids, among others.

Hearing Loss Affects More Than Your Ears

Hearing loss may begin with mere annoyance for the person or for family and friends, but the consequences can extend to other areas of life.

“People with hearing loss may become more socially isolated. They might withdraw from social events, avoid situations where crowds are present, or stop engaging in conversations. In addition, they might experience anxiety, insecurity, or depression,” explains Dr. Montano.

The effects of hearing loss go beyond social and psychological problems. Research has shown that people with mild hearing loss were almost three times more likely to have fallen, and the incidence of falls increased as the degree of hearing loss increased. Studies have also found associations between hearing loss and a higher incidence of dementia and brain atrophy.

Have Your Hearing Evaluated

If you have hearing loss, seek appropriate medical attention. Ask your primary care physician for a referral, or go directly to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician or to an audiologist.

An audiologist is educated in hearing loss, assessment, and rehabilitation. While he or she is neither a physician nor provides medical treatment, most hold a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or AuD (Doctor of Audiology). The audiologist will make a thorough assessment of your hearing ability. Be aware that some businesses that sell hearing aids may not adhere to the testing standards required of audiologists, so check credentials before you are evaluated or treated.

Not everyone with hearing loss needs a hearing aid. People with mild hearing loss can get personal sound amplification products that make it easier to hear phone conversations, as well as television or movies.

Among people who do require a hearing aid to improve their hearing, only one in five actually uses one, probably because of the stigma that associates hearing aids with older age. However, manufacturers have developed hearing devices that are smaller and more powerful, and some are nearly invisible.

Cost also can be a factor: Some hearing aids cost more than $2,000. However, most evaluate hearing evaluations are covered by insurance, and some insurers cover some of the costs of hearing aids. Contact your insurance company to find out what is covered by your policy. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Arkansas require private insurers to cover at least partial cost of hearing aids, and more states are considering similar laws. Also, many states mandate a trial period for hearing aids during which you may return them and get a refund, so you have nothing to lose—and possibly, a great deal to gain—by trying them.

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