Living with hearing loss

Hearing loss is a common condition affecting over 1.5 billion people worldwide.¹ On this page, you can learn to recognize signs of hearing loss, understand your treatment options and how you can help someone with a hearing loss.

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Recognize the signs of hearing loss

Treating hearing loss as early as possible can have a profound, positive impact on your overall quality of life and long-term health. Our experts recommend that you seek help as soon as you begin to recognize symptoms, such as:

Difficulty following group conversations

Image shows woman holding hand close to her ear

Asking others to repeat themselves

People around you seem to be mumbling or talking softly

Having to turn up the TV, radio or phone volume to hear properly

Difficulty hearing what people are saying if they don’t look directly at you

Image shows woman holding head due to discomfort

Feeling tired at the end of the day from straining to hear

How to handle the symptoms of hearing loss

If you notice that you or a loved one is experiencing signs of hearing loss, we advise you to seek advice in one of our HearingLife centers.

How I acted on my hearing loss

When you book a complimentary hearing appointment, you will undergo a hearing assessment that lasts approximately one hour. The assessment will indicate:

Whether you have hearing loss
Your level of hearing loss
What treatment options are available to you

You can also start out by taking our online hearing test. It takes about 5 minutes and gives you a quick assessment regarding whether you show signs of hearing loss.

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Living with untreated hearing loss

If you have difficulty hearing, you might make small adjustments in your daily life to compensate for the hearing loss. For example, you might start to withdraw from social activities. This withdrawal can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

But you don’t have to accept the undesirable lifestyle changes that untreated hearing loss can bring. You can receive treatment for your hearing loss so that you can communicate freely and participate in conversations again.

The first step towards better hearing is getting a hearing assessment in a hearing center. Hearing assessments are complimentary in all our offices.

Steps to better hearing Untreated hearing loss

How to help someone with hearing loss

It can be difficult to talk to a friend or loved one about hearing loss. It’s important to find a good time to have the conversation. Be mindful of the fact that it may be a sensitive topic for them.

How I discovered I suffered from hearing loss - hear from a real HearingLife patient.

They may be experiencing lowered confidence as a result of their hearing loss. With this in mind, be understanding and supportive in your approach. Here are a few tips for talking to someone about hearing loss:

Prepare yourself for the conversation
Find a comfortable place to talk
Show compassion and support
Help them take one step in the right direction that will get them closer to treatment

Show transcript Hide transcript

Bob

"When I play softball, it's not only about winning, it's also about communicating with my teammates, the social aspects and not missing out on anything in my life."

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Audio	Visual
Music I would say the most important thing in life is the freedom to be yourself.	Bob is smiling while getting ready to play softball
Music I have an ambitious mindset. I want to perform when it comes to sports. I want to perform when it comes to work. And actually, I want to live my life to the fullest.	Bob holds a softball bat and warms up. Bob walks towards his teammate and gives him a fist bump
Music Imagine that ability being taken away from you.	Bob sits on the spectator row and watches the others play while talking with his teammate
Music I am taking the responsibility to be free. Free to achieve things in life with no compromise.	Zoom in on Bobs face. Zoom out on Bob throwing the ball. Bob talks with an audiologist in a clinic
Music When I play softball, it is not only about winning. It is also about communicating with my teammates. The social aspect and not missing out on anything in my life.	Bob inserts his hearing aids and interacts with his teammates
Music	White screen: Audika Logo

What you can do to help

Read more tips about helping a loved one address their potential hearing loss.
Our guide for helping someone with hearing loss

An easy first step is taking a quick online assessment that indicates if you may have hearing loss.
Take online hearing test

In most cases, the best next step will be to have your friend or loved one book a hearing assessment in a hearing center. This will help them to get a better understanding of both the level and type of hearing loss.

Image shows man talking on the phone sitting on the sofa

Seek help for hearing loss: Book a complimentary hearing assessment

If you recognize hearing loss symptoms (such as having trouble hearing conversations or turning up the TV louder than normal), we suggest that you seek expert advice by booking an appointment.

Question 1 of 1

Have you had a hearing test within the last two years?

How to get a complimentary hearing assessment

HearingLife offers complimentary hearing assessments to all customers. Use our hearing center locator to find a center near you, where you can book your complimentary hearing assessment. When we assess your hearing, you can expect to receive the following:

A consultation with a certified hearing care expert
A thorough hearing test with same-day results
A selection of high-quality hearing aids from multiple brands
Risk-free, 30-day hearing aid trial
Flexible payment plans

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We're here to help you hear better

While modern hearing aids are more effective than ever before in significantly improving hearing ability, they do not restore your hearing completely.

However, hearing aids can come close. You can expect to hear significantly better than you would without them.

Additionally, hearing aids have been shown to improve quality of life, self-confidence, and social engagement.

Risk-free 30-day trial Life-changing hearing aids

The hidden risks of hearing loss

Although hearing loss affects people in different ways, many studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a number of emotional and social consequences. Some of them include:

Less social interaction and loneliness
Weakened memory and a decreased ability to learn new tasks
Reduced performance at work or school
Tiredness, worry, stress and depression
Reduced awareness and an increased risk to personal safety (for example, while driving)
Increased risk for cognitive decline

Hearing loss and dementia

Dr. Leslie Soiles

Au.D., Doctor of Audiology
Lic. #364, Chief Audiologist, HearingLife
Dr. Leslie Soiles founded HearingLife's Shrewsbury's office (formerly New England Hearing Instruments) in 1996. As a Doctor of Audiology, she has worked with Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians for the first 20 years of her career.

Dr. Soiles serves as Chief Audiologist for HearingLife. Click here to read her complete bio and learn more about her education and background.

Sources

1. G Livingston, Jonathan Huntley, Andrew Sommerlad, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet. July 30, 2020.