Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions in older adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 1 in 3 people between 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.
Because age-related hearing loss usually develops slowly, many people do not notice it for years. Family members often notice first.
Common signs
You might have hearing loss if you:
- Often ask people to repeat what they said.
- Have trouble following conversations when more than one person is talking.
- Think other people are mumbling.
- Struggle to hear in noisy places such as restaurants.
- Turn the TV or radio up louder than other people like.
- Have trouble hearing on the phone.
- Find it hard to hear women's and children's voices.
- Hear ringing, hissing or roaring in your ears, called tinnitus.
Why it matters
Hearing loss affects more than conversations. Research has linked untreated hearing loss with:
- Loneliness and isolation, because social gatherings become tiring and frustrating.
- Depression.
- Falls, since hearing helps with awareness of your surroundings.
- Memory and thinking problems. Studies have found that people with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems with memory and thinking. Researchers are still studying whether treating hearing loss lowers that risk, and a large study found hearing support helped slow thinking decline in some older adults.
What to do first
Start with your primary care doctor. They can look for earwax buildup, ear infections or other causes, some of which are easy to treat. Your doctor may refer you to:
- An audiologist, who tests your hearing and can fit hearing aids.
- An otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor), if a medical problem is suspected.
What a hearing test is like
A hearing test is painless and usually takes less than an hour. You sit in a quiet booth wearing headphones and respond when you hear tones at different pitches and volumes. You may also repeat words spoken at different volumes. The results show the type and degree of any hearing loss.
Medicare covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when your doctor or another provider orders them. You can also see an audiologist without an order once every 12 months for certain hearing problems. Medicare does not cover hearing aids themselves. Read does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing care?
Treatment options
- Hearing aids, available by prescription from an audiologist or hearing aid specialist, or over the counter for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Assistive listening devices, such as TV listening systems and amplified phones.
- Captioning on TV and video calls, and captioned telephones.
- Cochlear implants for severe hearing loss when hearing aids are not enough.
Our guide to lowering the cost of hearing aids explains over-the-counter options and programs that can help.
Tips for easier conversations
- Face the person you are talking with, in good light.
- Reduce background noise, or move to a quieter spot.
- Let people know you have trouble hearing and what helps, such as speaking clearly rather than shouting.
