Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Hearing aids makes sounds louder. There are many different styles of hearing aids. And you can add special features to your hearing aids. But almost all hearing aids have these parts: You can wear hearing aids behind your ear, in your outer ear, in your ear canal, or completely implanted in the ear. The kind of hearing aid you choose depends on many things, including your degree of hearing loss, your doctor or audiologist's advice, and what kind of hearing aid you want. Most prescription hearing aids are digital and are adjusted by an audiologist using a computer. OTC hearing aids will need to be adjusted by you. Hearing aids come in different styles. Some are very small and can fit completely in your ear canal. Some may be hidden in a small case behind your ear with a thin, see-through tube running into your ear canal. Larger styles fit in the outer ear. Each style of hearing aid has pros and cons. Work with your hearing aid provider to find the best kind of hearing aid for you. If your doctor or audiologist suspects or diagnoses hearing loss, they may have you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist or otologist). The specialist can check for other problems and help find out the cause of your hearing loss. They can also recommend possible treatments. If the specialist finds that hearing aids will help, the audiologist can help you decide what type of hearing aid will work best for you. An audiologist can help you learn how to get the most out of your hearing aids. An over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid may be an option if you're age 18 or older and have mild to moderate hearing loss. Ask your doctor or audiologist about buying from a trusted source. OTC hearing aids should not be used if you: Hearing aids can help you hear better and feel connected to others. They can also make you safer when you drive or when you work around your home. Hearing aids may help with your job, hobbies, and daily activities such as talking on the phone. Hearing aids often can be programmed to mask tinnitus (a ringing or roaring in the ear). Wearing hearing aids also means that you don't have to keep asking others to repeat what they just said. You can again enjoy talking with others without extra effort. Hearing loss may put you at risk for dementia. Some studies show that using hearing aids may help slow cognitive problems. It takes time for your brain to adjust to the new sounds it's hearing. It may take several weeks to months for you to get used to your hearing aids. You may find that: Here are some general tips to help you adjust to your new hearing aids. Your doctor or audiologist may suggest hearing aids if: If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids might be an option. You can get them without a hearing test or visiting your doctor. Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. For some time I could not hear my family and friends talking to me as clearly as I used to. Sometimes I gave them an answer to their questions that left puzzled looks on their faces, as if I had said the wrong thing. My wife complained about how loud I kept the volume on the TV. So I decided I needed to get my hearing checked. The doctor said my hearing problem could be helped with hearing aids, so I decided to get them. Sanjay, age 51 I talk on the phone a lot for my job. One day I realized I had been having trouble for some time hearing what people said. I kept asking clients to repeat what they just told me on the phone. My doctor said I had some hearing loss in my left ear, the one I use for the phone. He said hearing aids would help. But I decided not to get them for now. I don't like the way hearing aids look, and I can get a volume control for the phone or use my other ear. Andria, age 59 My wife kept kidding me that I needed hearing aids because I would ask her what the characters on my favorite TV show just said. I began to think that I did need them, so I checked with my doctor. But after she cleaned the earwax out of my ears, I found I could hear much better and didn't need hearing aids after all. Colin, age 45 I don't like change and didn't think I could learn to use hearing aids. I live alone, and I'm pretty set in my ways. But I realized I was missing out on what my grandchildren were telling me. My friends encouraged me to give hearing aids a try, and my doctor said it could help. It took some time for me to get used to wearing hearing aids, but I'm glad I made the effort. Ruth, age 69 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to get hearing aids Reasons not to get hearing aids I need to hear better to do my job and other daily activities. I hear well enough to get through my day. Paying attention to people's gestures and facial expressions isn't enough to help me understand what they're saying. I can live with hearing loss by paying attention to people's gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice. My hearing loss is affecting my relationships with others. I don't feel that my hearing loss affects my relationships with others. I am willing to take the time to adjust to using hearing aids. I think it would be too hard to adjust to hearing aids and get them to work the way I want them to. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Getting hearing aids NOT getting hearing aids Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Hearing aids makes sounds louder. There are many different styles of hearing aids. And you can add special features to your hearing aids. But almost all hearing aids have these parts: You can wear hearing aids behind your ear, in your outer ear, in your ear canal, or completely implanted in the ear. The kind of hearing aid you choose depends on many things, including your degree of hearing loss, your doctor or audiologist's advice, and what kind of hearing aid you want. Most prescription hearing aids are digital and are adjusted by an audiologist using a computer. OTC hearing aids will need to be adjusted by you. Hearing aids come in different styles. Some are very small and can fit completely in your ear canal. Some may be hidden in a small case behind your ear with a thin, see-through tube running into your ear canal. Larger styles fit in the outer ear. Each style of hearing aid has pros and cons. Work with your hearing aid provider to find the best kind of hearing aid for you. If your doctor or audiologist suspects or diagnoses hearing loss, they may have you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist or otologist). The specialist can check for other problems and help find out the cause of your hearing loss. They can also recommend possible treatments. If the specialist finds that hearing aids will help, the audiologist can help you decide what type of hearing aid will work best for you. An audiologist can help you learn how to get the most out of your hearing aids. An over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid may be an option if you're age 18 or older and have mild to moderate hearing loss. Ask your doctor or audiologist about buying from a trusted source. OTC hearing aids should not be used if you: Hearing aids can help you hear better and feel connected to others. They can also make you safer when you drive or when you work around your home. Hearing aids may help with your job, hobbies, and daily activities such as talking on the phone. Hearing aids often can be programmed to mask tinnitus (a ringing or roaring in the ear). Wearing hearing aids also means that you don't have to keep asking others to repeat what they just said. You can again enjoy talking with others without extra effort. Hearing loss may put you at risk for dementia. Some studies show that using hearing aids may help slow cognitive problems. It takes time for your brain to adjust to the new sounds it's hearing. It may take several weeks to months for you to get used to your hearing aids. You may find that: Here are some general tips to help you adjust to your new hearing aids. Your doctor or audiologist may suggest hearing aids if: If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids might be an option. You can get them without a hearing test or visiting your doctor. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "For some time I could not hear my family and friends talking to me as clearly as I used to. Sometimes I gave them an answer to their questions that left puzzled looks on their faces, as if I had said the wrong thing. My wife complained about how loud I kept the volume on the TV. So I decided I needed to get my hearing checked. The doctor said my hearing problem could be helped with hearing aids, so I decided to get them." — Sanjay, age 51 "I talk on the phone a lot for my job. One day I realized I had been having trouble for some time hearing what people said. I kept asking clients to repeat what they just told me on the phone. My doctor said I had some hearing loss in my left ear, the one I use for the phone. He said hearing aids would help. But I decided not to get them for now. I don't like the way hearing aids look, and I can get a volume control for the phone or use my other ear." — Andria, age 59 "My wife kept kidding me that I needed hearing aids because I would ask her what the characters on my favorite TV show just said. I began to think that I did need them, so I checked with my doctor. But after she cleaned the earwax out of my ears, I found I could hear much better and didn't need hearing aids after all." — Colin, age 45 "I don't like change and didn't think I could learn to use hearing aids. I live alone, and I'm pretty set in my ways. But I realized I was missing out on what my grandchildren were telling me. My friends encouraged me to give hearing aids a try, and my doctor said it could help. It took some time for me to get used to wearing hearing aids, but I'm glad I made the effort." — Ruth, age 69 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to get hearing aids Reasons not to get hearing aids I need to hear better to do my job and other daily activities. I hear well enough to get through my day. Paying attention to people's gestures and facial expressions isn't enough to help me understand what they're saying. I can live with hearing loss by paying attention to people's gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice. My hearing loss is affecting my relationships with others. I don't feel that my hearing loss affects my relationships with others. I am willing to take the time to adjust to using hearing aids. I think it would be too hard to adjust to hearing aids and get them to work the way I want them to. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Getting hearing aids NOT getting hearing aids 1.
No matter what is causing my hearing loss, only hearing aids can help me hear better. 2.
Hearing aids will be very hard for me to get used to. 3.
Getting hearing aids can help me take part in conversations. 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: February 28, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardHearing Loss: Should I Get Hearing Aids?
Hearing Loss: Should I Get Hearing Aids?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are hearing aids?
How can you find out if hearing aids could help you?
What are the benefits of wearing hearing aids?
Will it be hard to adjust to hearing aids?
Why might you need hearing aids?
Compare your options
Personal stories about getting hearing aids
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Hearing Loss: Should I Get Hearing Aids?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are hearing aids?
How can you find out if hearing aids could help you?
What are the benefits of wearing hearing aids?
Will it be hard to adjust to hearing aids?
Why might you need hearing aids?
2. Compare your options
Try hearing aids Live without hearing aids What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about getting hearing aids
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Try hearing aids Try hearing aids
Live without hearing aids Live without hearing aids
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Leaning toward
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Leaning toward
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
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Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
You're right. Some types of hearing loss can be treated so that you don't need hearing aids.
You're right. Although it takes some time to get used to using hearing aids, many people do so and learn how to get the most out of them.
That's right. Hearing aids can help you hear better and feel more connected.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits