Ear, nose, and throat Archive

Ear, nose, and throat

What is holding you back from better hearing?

Updated February 14, 2017

The realities of treatment can help relieve hearing loss concerns.

Image: © Thinkstock

Hearing loss is common in older age. It affects one in three people ages 65 or older, and two out of three people ages 75 or older. The condition leaves people struggling to keep up with conversations or simply hear the phone or TV, which can lead to serious problems. "Hearing loss can make a person less likely to engage with friends and family, which can be associated with depression," says Dr. David Jung, an otologist (ear specialist) with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Common excuses

What you should do

It's easy to overlook evidence that you have hearing loss. The symptoms can be subtle. Perhaps people around you always seem to be mumbling. Perhaps you have a hard time carrying on a conversation in a noisy environment.

If you recognize these symptoms, talk to your primary care doctor. He or she may order a hearing test directly or refer you to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist).

A visit will likely involve an ear exam, an evaluation of your medical history and how it may be affecting your hearing, and a hearing test by an audiologist. Your team will determine if a hearing aid will help you.

If you can hear the sound of a voice well but have trouble distinguishing the words being spoken, first try some simple tricks. Stand closer to people when they talk. Talk in well-lighted areas so you can see the face of the person you're talking with. Sit closer to a stage if you're at a performance.

What to do about the high cost of hearing aids

One of the biggest obstacles to getting hearing aids is money. "Many of my patients are desperate to get a hearing aid, but they can't afford one," says Dr. David Jung, an otologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. A pair of the devices can cost an average of more than $4,600, yet insurance and Medicare rarely cover any costs. If you need financial assistance, some organizations can help:

the Sertoma Club (www.sertoma.org), a civic group operating a national hearing aid recycling program, which refurbishes the devices and distributes them to people in need
groups that provide new hearing aids at greatly reduced costs, such as Audient (www.audientalliance.org) or your local Lions Club (www.lionsclubs.org)
the Starkey Hearing Foundation (www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org), which provides hearing aids for people with low incomes.

The Hearing Loss Association of America (www.hearingloss.org) offers a complete list of resources.

Eligibility requirements for hearing aid financial assistance vary. For example, Audient requires that a family of two earn less than about $36,000, and a single person earn less than about $27,000.

A move by the FDA is making it easier to obtain over-the-counter hearing aids, which are less expensive than prescription hearing aids. However, over-the-counter devices aren't right for everyone.

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