You miss a few words here and there. You ask people to repeat what they just said. Family members say you leave the television on too loud.
These may be signs that you have hearing loss — and a hearing aid may help.
Hearing aids work for many people who are having trouble hearing, even in severe cases. But you may have questions about when you should get your hearing tested, how to get hearing aids and what exactly these devices can do for you.
Josh Sevier, AuD, a board-certified audiologist at Rush, can shed some light on these topics. He answers some of the most frequently asked questions about hearing aids.
How do I know when it’s time to see a doctor for a hearing aid evaluation?
Hearing loss often develops gradually. It may be hard to tell if you’re starting to lose your hearing at first.
“A lot of people don’t realize they have hearing loss because their brains adapt to what becomes normal for them,” Sevier says.
So how can you tell when it’s time to get evaluated and see if you need a hearing aid? Sevier says you should make an appointment to get your hearing tested if any of the following apply to you:
- You only catch parts of conversations
- You often ask people to repeat themselves
- You keep your television or phone volume very high
- Your friends or family members say you’re missing parts of conversations
- You feel like listening takes more effort than it used to
Sevier also says parent’s should consider getting their children’s hearing tested if the following apply to them:
- They have not passed their newborn hearing screenings
- They aren’t meeting speech and language milestones
- They don’t consistently respond to sounds and voices at home
A hearing evaluation from an audiologist can help find out whether hearing loss is happening and what treatment options are available.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids?
Some patients who need hearing aids may be surprised to find that Medicare Part B generally does not cover them.
“Unfortunately, the population that often needs hearing aids the most does not have hearing aid coverage through traditional Medicare," Sevier says.
But some Medicare Advantage or supplemental plans may include hearing aid benefits. So it’s always worth reviewing your coverage.
If you need a hearing aid and don’t have Medicare benefits that will cover it, there may still be affordable options for you. There are several types of hearing aids with different costs, including prescription hearing aids fitted by an audiologist and over-the-counter hearing aids that can help with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Hearing technology can be complicated. But an audiologist can help guide you to devices that meet your needs and budget.
Can hearing aids help manage tinnitus?
Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing or other sounds in one or both ears — is common with hearing loss.
“When we lose access to certain sounds because of hearing loss, the brain sometimes creates its own internal sound,” Sevier says.
For many patients, hearing aids can help reduce tinnitus by restoring the ability to hear sounds in the environment that the brain has been missing.
“When patients begin hearing those sounds again, the brain often no longer needs to generate that internal signal,” Sevier explains.
But patients with hearing aids may still notice tinnitus symptoms in very quiet environments, like when they’re trying to fall asleep.
If tinnitus greatly interferes with your daily life or sleep, there are specialized tinnitus management programs that may help.
Can hearing aids help people with severe hearing loss?
Yes, for many people with severe hearing loss, hearing aids can help.
“I have several patients with profound hearing loss who do very well with their hearing aids,” Sevier says.
Audiologists monitor how well patients’ hearing aids are performing through speech testing and other measurements. They make sure patients are still getting enough benefit from their devices.
“If hearing aids are no longer providing sufficient understanding, that's when we start talking about other options, such as cochlear implants,” Sevier says. “At Rush, audiologists work closely with otologists and cochlear implant specialists to evaluate advanced hearing technology when appropriate.”
How often should hearing aids be cleaned?
Hearing aids need daily cleaning. This will help make sure they keep working properly.
Wipe them down, and make sure the speakers and microphones are clear of any debris.
“Earwax can build up in the speakers,” Sevier says. “If it completely blocks them, it can make the hearing aids seem like they've stopped working.”
Moisture, dust and debris can also affect how microphones are working.
For hearing aids that use tubing and custom ear molds, the tubing may need to be replaced every so often because it can harden or crack over time.
Regular follow-up visits with your audiologist can help, too. They can help give your hearing aids a deep clean and maintenance to make sure they keep working.
Can AirPods be used as hearing aids?
Some wearable devices, like Apple AirPods, have features made to help people hear better in some situations. They can give limited assistance to people with very mild hearing loss.
But these devices aren’t designed to diagnose hearing loss, and they can’t replace professionally fitted hearing aids.
“AirPods and similar devices are improving, but they’re not at the level needed to properly treat hearing loss,” Sevier says.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are available for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. But it’s still best to see an audiologist to find out what’s causing your symptoms and learn about the best treatment options.
What are the different types of hearing aids?
There are different styles of hearing aids, and your audiologist will help find the right one based on your hearing loss, ear anatomy and lifestyle.
One of the most common styles of hearing aids is a receiver-in-canal, or RIC, hearing aid. It sits behind the ear and connects to a small receiver, or speaker, in the ear canal with a thin wire. They are lightweight, discreet and able to treat many levels of hearing loss.
Another option is a behind-the-ear, or BTE, hearing aid. It also sits behind the ear and connects to an ear mold through tubing. They often help people with more severe hearing loss because they amplify sound better and are more durable.
There are also different custom hearing aid options made to fit inside the ear. These include the following:
- In-the-ear, or ITE, hearing aids that fill the outer portion of the ear
- In-the-canal, or ITC, hearing aids that sit partially in the ear canal
- Completely-in-canal, or CIC, hearing aids that sit deeper in the ear canal
- Invisible-in-canal, or IIC, hearing aids that are placed deep within the ear canal and are less visible
Not every style is right for every patient. Your audiologist can help find the best option for your needs.
Many hearing aids now also use rechargeable batteries, so you don’t need to change the batteries as often.
How long do hearing aids last?
Hearing aids do not last forever. They usually have a lifespan of three to seven years. Most include a warranty of about three years. Proper care can help extend their lifespan.
“Regular cleaning and maintenance help keep them functioning as well as possible,” Sevier says.
Many patients also replace their devices after several years because hearing aid technology improves quickly. Newer models often have features like better sound processing, connectivity and convenience.
Are men more likely to need hearing aids than women?
Men may be slightly more likely to have hearing loss than women. This is mostly because they tend to be in careers that involve noise exposure more often, like construction, factory work or military jobs.
But people of any gender can need hearing aids.
“I feel like we have a pretty even patient population,” Sevier says. “Hearing loss affects everyone.”
Genetics, aging, certain medical conditions and noise exposure can all be risks for hearing loss.
How have hearing aids improved recently?
Modern hearing aids are very sophisticated. They do much more than simply make sounds louder.
New hearing aids use advanced systems to automatically adjust to different listening environments, like restaurants, meetings or outdoor settings.
“These systems help reduce background noise and improve speech understanding,” Sevier says.
Many hearing aids also connect directly to smartphones, televisions and other devices using Bluetooth. This can let you stream phone calls, music and media directly into your hearing aids.
Some devices also have AI technology. They can learn your listening preferences and automatically adjust settings to improve sound quality in settings where listening is challenging.
And some hearing aids now include health and wellness features, like activity tracking and fall detection.
How easy is it to find out if you need hearing aids?
It is usually a very simple process to find out if you need a hearing aid.
You can schedule a hearing evaluation through your primary care physician or an ear, nose and throat doctor. You can also make an appointment directly with an audiologist.
The audiologist will do a detailed hearing health history and perform a series of tests. They’ll ask when the hearing loss started and what difficulties you’ve been having.
“Then we do an evaluation to understand what your hearing loss actually looks like,” Sevier says.
The most common test is an audiogram. It measures how well you hear at different pitches and volumes.
You probably took a test like this in school. You may have worn headphones and signaled when you heard tones or been asked to repeat words.
If the audiologist recommends hearing aids to help you, they’ll go over the different options and help you choose the device that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
How do you talk to an older adult about the need for hearing aids?
Hearing loss becomes more common with age — and the effects go beyond missing a word or two.
“People may get socially isolated when they have hearing loss,” Sevier says. “They may avoid conversations or social situations because communication becomes difficult.”
Some older adults may not feel comfortable with the idea of getting hearing aids. If you have a loved one who resists the idea of getting tested, it’s important to approach the topic with sensitivity.
Encourage them and show empathy. Remind them of what improved hearing can restore — the ability to have conversations with family members, participate in social activities and fully engage with the world around them.
“There’s nothing to lose by having your hearing checked,” Sevier says. “It’s simply a way to understand what’s going on and explore options.”
If you think you or a family member may have hearing loss, you can make an appointment with a Rush ENT physician or audiologist by calling (888) 352-7874. You can also learn more on our Audiology Services page.
