Hearing Loss Questions

Find answers to common hearing loss questions here.

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Hearing Loss FAQ's

  • How can I recognize hearing problems?

    Most of the time hearing problems begin gradually, without discomfort or pain. What's more, family members often learn to adapt to someone’s hearing loss, without even realizing they are doing it. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether you have hearing loss:

    1. Do I often ask people to repeat themselves?
    2. Do I have trouble following conversations with more than two people?
    3. Do I have difficulty hearing what is said unless I'm facing the speaker?
    4. Does it sound like other people are mumbling or slurring their words?
    5. Do I struggle to hear in crowded places like restaurants, malls and meeting rooms?
    6. Do I have a hard time hearing women or children?
    7. Do I prefer the TV or radio volume louder than others?
    8. Do I experience ringing or buzzing in my ears?

    If you answered yes to several of these questions, chances are you do suffer from hearing loss.

  • If I had hearing loss, wouldn’t my doctor have told me?

    Not necessarily. Only about 13% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss. Since most people with hearing impairments hear just fine in quiet environments (like your doctor's office), it can be very difficult for your physician to recognize this problem. Only a trained hearing professional can determine the severity of your hearing problem, whether or not you could benefit from a hearing aid, and which type would be best for you.

  • What are the most common causes of hearing loss?

    There are several causes. The main ones include excessive noise, infections, genetics, birth defects, infections of the head or ear, aging, and reaction to drugs or cancer treatment.

  • Are there different types of hearing loss?

    Yes. There are three types of hearing loss:

    1. Sensorineural: The most common type, it occurs when the inner ear nerves (and hair cells) are damaged and do not properly transmit auditory signals to the brain. Can be treated with hearing aids.
    2. Conductive: Is typically the result of obstructions in the ear. Can usually be treated medically or surgically.
    3. Mixed: A combination of sensorineural and conductive.
  • Doesn’t hearing loss only affect old people?

    Hearing loss can occur at any time, at any age. In fact, most people with hearing loss (65%) are younger than age 65! There are six million people in the U.S. ages 18-44 with hearing loss, and around one-and-a-half million are school age.

  • Are there operations or medications I can take for hearing loss?

    Only 5% of hearing loss in adults can be improved medically or surgically. The vast majority of Americans with hearing loss (95%) are treated with hearing aids.

  • Who treats hearing loss?
    • Audiologists are professionals with a master's degree, Au.D. or Ph.D. in audiology, the study of hearing. They specialize in testing, evaluating and treating hearing loss. An audiologist may also fit hearing instruments.
    • Hearing Aid Dispensers are trained in fitting and dispensing hearing aids. Hearing aid specialists are often state-licensed and board-certified to test for hearing loss and to fit consumers for hearing aids.
    • Otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders. Also known as ENT doctors.
  • If I think I have a hearing problem, what do I do?

    You should make an appointment with a hearing professional like an audiologist, hearing aid specialist or ENT doctor for an evaluation, consultation and hearing test. Many hearing care professionals offer this evaluation at no charge.

  • How do I find a hearing professional?

    When seeking treatment for hearing loss, be sure to select a hearing professional who understands the available technology and offers follow-up care. Use our online locator to find a professional near you.

  • Won’t wearing a hearing aid make me stand out?

    While you are no doubt concerned about appearance, compensating for a hearing loss by asking people to repeat themselves, inappropriately responding to people (or not responding at all), or even withdrawing from social situations is more obvious than wearing a hearing aid.

    Today’s hearing aids are small, discreet and more stylish than ever before. Some are even invisible. And, chances are that once you have a hearing aid, your quality of life will improve so much that cosmetics won't be as much of an issue for you.

  • How will a hearing aid improve my quality of life?


    More specifically, treatment of hearing loss has been shown to improve1:

    • Communication in relationships
    • Intimacy and warmth in family relationships
    • Ease in communication
    • Earning power
    • Sense of control over your life
    • Social participation
    • Emotional stability

    When you consider all the benefits of better hearing, you can see that hearing aids hold great potential to positively change your life.

    1 Source:
  • How do hearing aids work?


  • Will a hearing aid restore my hearing?

    While no hearing aid can restore your hearing to normal (except in cases of very mild hearing loss), our hearing aids are designed to let you hear soft sounds that you couldn't hear before, and prevent loud sounds from becoming uncomfortably loud for you. They are also designed to improve your ability to understand speech, even in noisy environments.

  • Will I be able to hear in noisy places?

    While no hearing aid can filter out all background noise, our advanced hearing aids are designed to reduce some types of background noise so that you can enjoy conversation and improve communication in places like restaurants, business meetings and social gatherings.

  • What are the different types and styles of hearing aids?

    Today’s hearing aids come in a wide variety of sizes and styles — from those that sit behind the ear to completely invisible hearing aids — and feature different technology levels to match your specific needs and budget. Visit our Find Hearing Aids section to see for yourself.

  • How do I know which hearing aid will be best for me?


  • What are some advances in hearing aid technology?

    Like many other high-tech devices (TVs, phones, computers), hearing aids have experienced a major technological revolution in the past decade and especially in the last few years.

    The best of today’s hearing aids are designed to virtually eliminate feedback; make listening in noisy environments easier and more comfortable; stream stereo sound from TVs and radios directly to the hearing aid itself; let you talk on your phone hands-free; and much more. All in instruments that are smaller (in some cases, invisible) and more comfortable and powerful than ever before.

  • Is there an adjustment period to wearing hearing aids?


  • Will I need a hearing aid for both ears?

    Two-ear hearing (called "binaural") is better than one. If you have hearing loss in only one ear, you may be fine with one hearing aid. Age- and noise-related hearing loss tend to affect both ears, but your hearing profile for each ear is probably different. If there is a loss in both ears, you will probably benefit more with a binaural solution. Today, about two-thirds of new users opt for dual hearing aids, and as a group they report a higher level of satisfaction than purchasers of a single hearing aid.

  • How much do hearing aids cost?


  • Are cheap hearing aids any good?

    Inexpensive models are simply hearing amplifiers that will make everything louder (including all the ambient noises around you). They will not, for example, separate human voices from background noises, or hear directional sounds like today’s more sophisticated hearing aids are designed to do.

  • Is there a guarantee with hearing aids?

    Yes. In fact it was Audibel, powered by Starkey Hearing Technologies, that first introduced the 30-day money-back guarantee, which is now the industry standard. But it is important to give yourself a reasonable chance to adjust to your hearing aid, knowing it often takes a few months to get comfortable.

  • Should I consider purchasing a hearing aid online?

    We believe that you achieve the best possible results with your hearing aids by consulting with a hearing professional in person, so we do not endorse retailers selling over the Internet. Read our policy regarding Internet sales.