50+ Lifestyles

Ask the Audiologist

By Kevin Kock, Au.D.
Audiology Consultants, P.C.

Five Facts about Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

As a licensed audiologist, one of my favorite things to do is to work with my patients to find hearing solutions that work for their lifestyle, communication needs, and budget. Every day, I discuss options with my patients and educate them, often clarifying misunderstandings about hearing aids. With all the information out there, it is hard to separate the facts from fiction. If you are new to hearing aids or looking to get a new set, this article can help make sure you know your options. Of course, it is always best to discuss with a licensed audiologist in-person if you have specific questions about your hearing loss.

1. You DON’T only need one: If a hearing loss is present in both ears, it is most appropriate to get two hearing aids. Two optimally fit hearing aids lead to better localization of sound (which can prevent injury), better understanding of speech in noise, reduced tinnitus annoyance, reduced listening effort, and can lead to overall better satisfaction.
2. Mail Order and Over-the-Counter (OTC) are NOT “good enough”: The reality is that devices are not all the same. Many over the counter devices are simple amplifiers and may not be optimally suited for different patients and their needs. Also, it is important for many patients to have support in device usage and there can be a lot of counseling on communication strategies that patients may not get without the support of an audiologist. There is no real way to verify that these hearing aids are appropriate for your hearing loss (and often they get placed in the drawer never to be used). When working with an audiologist following best practices, they will verify the hearing aid is appropriately fit for your hearing loss by performing Real Ear Verification, which means placing small microphones in your ears to record and verify the hearing aid output.
3. It is OK to wear hearing aids if you are younger: According to the NIH, the three leading causes of hearing loss are loud sound exposure, age, and genetics. This means that younger people, especially those who have worked in loud environments, might have hearing loss. We often see patients waiting until they are older to get hearing aids. The reality is younger people tend to be more active and have more complex listening needs. Untreated hearing loss can negatively affect job promotion, social wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Often, patients with hearing loss need to use more mental energy compared to
   people without hearing loss.
4. Hearing does not have to be “bad enough” for hearing aids: Often, we hear from patients that someone thought their hearing loss is not “bad enough” for hearing aids. Hearing aids can help even mild hearing loss. Hearing aid candidates tend to notice that they have difficulty with word clarity and understanding, especially in noisy situations. Even mild hearing losses can benefit from hearing aids! If you feel like you are asking people to repeat what they said or feel that you are working too hard to listen, why not give hearing aids a try?
5. Hearing Aids Have a Variety of Prices: Patients often come to my appointment expecting to pay upwards of $10,000 for hearing aids. The truth is, hearing aids have a wide price range, with budget options being as low as $1200 a pair and average hearing aid price range falling around $3000 to $8000 for a pair. By working closely with an audiologist, you can get the right information to find an option and style that works best for you. Some patients who are less active or are not always in noisy situations do just fine with the lower priced options. Every technology level should provide you similar hearing clarity, the big difference is that higher technology levels have more noise reduction features, which might be more helpful for more active individuals.