Hearing loss is often dismissed as an inconsequential part of aging. As a result, many people wait years to seek solutions. On average, it takes a person seven years to get fitted for hearing aids after noticing a hearing loss. Of the adults aged 20 to 69 who could benefit from wearing hearing aids, fewer than one in four have ever used them. Read on if you've ever asked yourself, "Do I need hearing aids?" If the question has crossed your mind, there's a good chance that you do.
If you’re thinking of holding off on hearing aids until your hearing gets worse, you may want to think again. While determining when to get hearing aids is a personal process, research shows the longer you wait, the harder it can be to treat hearing loss. Thankfully, today’s technology makes it easier than ever to detect hearing loss and find effective solutions. Timely treatment doesn’t just improve hearing—it can also have tremendous impacts on health, wellness and overall quality of life.
The earlier you can detect and treat hearing loss, the better, and getting timely treatment starts with paying attention to the signs. Early signs of hearing loss are often subtle, which can make them difficult to notice. On the other hand, you might know you’ve been having some trouble hearing, but may not think it’s serious enough to take action.
Though it can be tempting to wait, especially if you feel you’re managing it, chances are your hearing problems are affecting you more than you realize.
Everyone’s crowded around the TV on movie night, but after you adjust the volume, your family complains it’s too loud. It’s hard for you to hear once they turn it down, so you end up reading the subtitles to follow along.
As your server lists off the specials, you struggle to focus on her voice over the jumble of background noises and ask her to repeat herself several times.
You’re straining to understand a colleague sitting a few feet away from you during a team meeting, but you nod along anyway—even though you didn’t quite catch what was said.
If you’ve experienced these symptoms of hearing loss, you could likely benefit from getting hearing aids. Consider scheduling an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist, who can help determine the degree of hearing loss and whether hearing aids could help.
The longer you wait to treat hearing loss, the more difficult treatment can become.
Why is that? Keep in mind that you technically hear with your brain, not your ears. Untreated hearing loss may eventually lead to changes in the brain. As hearing worsens and the hearing nerves are deprived of sound, the brain’s hearing centers weaken and lose the ability to detect missing sounds—a phenomenon known as auditory deprivation. In other words, the brain can “forget” how to recognize certain sounds over time.
You’ve probably heard the saying “use it or lose it.” This concept applies to hearing as much as any other ability. Just as we exercise our muscles, it’s crucial to “exercise” our hearing to keep it functioning properly. Wearing hearing aids helps to exercise the brain’s hearing centers so it maintains its ability to detect and distinguish sounds.
A hearing aid may be recommended at any stage where hearing loss starts to interfere with communication or everyday activities. The degree of hearing loss and its impact on quality of life are key factors in deciding when amplification is necessary.
Research shows that leaving hearing loss untreated can significantly increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This is because the brain receives less auditory stimulation over time, gradually weakening its ability to process sounds. Even in what feels like a quiet room, there are usually many subtle background noises—without adequate hearing, the brain is deprived of this vital input.
For this reason, regular hearing tests are essential. Addressing hearing loss as early as possible with the right device can help maintain cognitive function and reduce the risks linked to untreated hearing loss.
Though each individual’s hearing loss is different, people with mild hearing loss often perceive sound loud enough but have trouble understanding certain sounds.
The Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) defines mild hearing loss as difficulty detecting sounds between 26 and 40 decibels (dB). Everyday noises within this range may include background chatter, a whisper, or the gentle flow of a stream. Consonant sounds such as “th,” “sh,” “f” or “p” may get lost during conversation, making it hard to comprehend and distinguish between words (for example, “thought” may sound like “fought”). .
Although the term mild might sound harmless, it is important to talk discuss with a hearing care professional about how this level of hearing loss impacts daily life. The extent to which it interferes with everyday activities is what matters most.
Since you won’t require the most powerful amplification devices, you’ll have a wider range of models and features to choose from. Certain hearing aid devices are specifically designed for mild hearing loss. You may have the option of wearing the smallest and most discreet styles, such as Miracle-Ear’s nearly invisible hearing aids.
For adults, starting to use hearing aids at the mild stage is strongly recommended—even if they can still follow most conversations. Early adoption supports the brain by keeping auditory pathways active and engaged. The wider the range of sounds the brain processes, the more stimulated it remains, which may help slow down the progression of hearing loss.
According to the Hearing Health Foundation (HHF), moderate hearing loss is defined as difficulty perceiving sounds between 41 and 55 decibels. People within this range often benefit significantly from hearing aids, which can restore access to everyday sounds such as normal conversations, traffic noise, and birdsong.
Even if moderate hearing loss does not seem to disrupt your social life, hearing aids remain highly recommended. Like in cases of mild hearing loss, they provide valuable stimulation to the brain’s auditory pathways, supporting overall cognitive health.
Depending on the severity of the hearing loss, the brain may need time to relearn the sounds it has been missing—and that’s where hearing aids become especially beneficial. The sooner you start to wear them, the easier it will be to retrain your hearing.
Moderately severe hearing loss is classified as difficulty hearing sounds in the 56 to 70 decibel range. At this level, individuals usually struggle to understand normal speech without a hearing device. They may also be unable to detect common household noises, such as the hum of a washing machine or dishwasher.
Profound hearing loss occurs when sounds below 91 decibels are no longer audible. In many cases, amplification with a hearing aid provides subtle warning cues however many speech cues may not be audible. This is because the challenge often lies not in sound volume but in damage to the inner ear, which prevents signals from being amplified enough to provide a clear signal to the brain.
While traditional hearing aids may not always be effective in such cases, outcomes vary and depend on the individual’s condition. Profound hearing loss individuals may find an excellent solution with a cochlear implant. Your hearing care professional can help you in determining the best solution.
Did you know the benefits of hearing aids extend beyond improved hearing? From safety to sharper memory, here are some of the many ways hearing aids can drastically improve quality of life.
People with untreated hearing loss often find that hearing loss impacts relationships. They find it difficult to fully engage with others, leading to feelings of isolation and detachment. Hearing aids help by significantly improving listening and speech comprehension and relieving the frustration and fatigue of constantly struggling to hear, making it easier to understand and engage in meaningful interactions.
High-tech features, such as Miracle-Ear’s Speech Isolation technology, work to reduce unwanted background noise and focus on the direction of the target speaker for better one-on-one conversations. More social interaction helps restore a sense of connection and joy in people’s lives, leading to higher self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Hearing loss in the workplace is more impactful than you may realize. Hearing aids can help you maintain productivity, accuracy and effective communication at work.
Though untreated hearing loss is known to have adverse effects on job performance and income, simply wearing hearing aids has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of income loss: by 90 to 100 percent for those with mild hearing loss, and by 65 to 77 percent for those with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Healthy communication is an essential part of any loving relationship. But when one person in a relationship has hearing loss, it can be stressful for both. Wearing hearing aids helps to ease those burdens and strengthen relationships by removing communication barriers.
Features such as Bluetooth® connectivity allow you to stream phone calls and video chat audio directly to your hearing aids, making it easier to stay connected with loved ones wherever you are.
Asking yourself "Do I need hearing aids?" is likely an indication that now is the right time to start your hearing journey. Treatment for hearing loss, especially early treatment, is vital to maintain your overall quality of life.
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