Audiologist conducting an ear examination using an otoscope.

When is it time to seek help for hearing loss?

In general, the earlier you seek help for your hearing loss, the more effective your treatment will be. Therefore, we encourage you to reach out for for help as soon as you notice early signs of hearing loss. Learn more below.

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6 signs you should seek help for your hearing loss

If you experience one or more of the signs below, it's a good idea to get your hearing checked.
Learn how to recognize signs that you should seek help.
Signs of hearing loss

Four people smiling and engaging in lively conversation in a sunlit urban outdoor setting, surrounded by buildings and trees.

1. Difficulty following conversations

You have difficulty following group conversations (or when background noise is present)⁵

A man wearing earphones and a grey sweater smiles while using a smartphone, seated near large windows with a blurred outdoor view.

2. Phone conversations are unclear

You have trouble following phone conversations in quiet and noisy places

An older adult with white hair touches their ear, appearing thoughtful, wearing a white shirt with black stripes, against a plain light background.

3. People seem to be mumbling

You often ask people to repeat themselves. Sounds seem unclear, or people sound like they are mumbling

Woman with short gray hair and pearl earrings gazes thoughtfully to the side in a bright room with a blurred background featuring green plants and soft lighting.

4. Difficulty locating sounds

You have difficulty locating where sounds are coming from

A close-up of a woman's ear adorned with a flower-shaped earring, accented by illustrated soundwave lines to symbolize hearing or auditory issues.

5. Signs of tinnitus

You experience ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears (called tinnitus)⁵

An elderly couple relaxes on a couch, with the man wrapping his arm around the woman's shoulders, in a bright, cozy living room.

6. Turning up the TV too loud

Your friends and family say you turn the television up too loud⁵

Show transcript

Learn why Louise decided to seek help

“I asked myself: Why compromise if I can do something about it? And this is why I contacted an expert.

I wanted to get back at performing 100%. I wanted life to be as it used to be. I wanted to change my life”

Find a hearing center nearby

Audio	Visual
Music I sometimes receive feedback from my students - thanking me for my way of teaching.	Louise walks into the classroom and prepares for class
Music To experience engaged and motivated students – it is the greatest gift. You know when they show their passion about my teaching, I feel committed to perform even better.	Louise is teaching and interacting with the students
Music Discussions with engaged students, the debates, the academic arguments, the different perspectives that we discover through the two-way communication. I really need to maintain these communication skills in order to do my job to perfection	Louise is talking with a student after class
Music At one point I was not able to be 100% present in the discussion My first reaction was, now my students do not see me as competent and sharp. But then I asked myself, why compromise if I can do something about it?	Zoom in clip of Louise talking
Music And this is why I contacted an expert. I wanted to get back at performing 100%	Louise is seen talking with an audiologist in a clinic. Zoom in on Louise’s hearing aids on her ear.
Music I wanted life to be as it used to be. I wanted a life-change	Louise interacts with students who raise their hands in class
Music	White screen: HearingLife logo

Woman using headphones and pressing a button during a professional hearing test.

Quiz yourself: Should I get my hearing checked?

Answer a few questions to see if you could benefit from a hearing test.*

Question 1 – Around the table

Do you have trouble following conversations when there are 4 or more people present?

Question 2 – Family and friends

Have you received advice from your family or friends to get your hearing tested?

Question 3 – Understanding what others say

Do you ever struggle to understand what others are saying because you cannot hear properly?

Question 4 – TV or radio

Do you find yourself turning up the TV or radio even when the volume is loud enough for others?

Woman discussing hearing care options with an audiologist in a well-lit, modern clinic.

Does hearing loss get worse?

Hearing loss may get worse over time.

This means that the longer you wait to seek treatment, the harder it will be for your brain to make sense of sounds, and the longer it will take to get used to wearing hearing aids.

Book Appointment Untreated hearing loss

6 benefits of using hearing aids

Happy seniors sharing a meal and enjoying conversation at a dining table.

1. Hear clearly in most situations and enjoy life more

2. Be able to participate in the conversation again

3. Avoid the stress and discomfort caused by impaired hearing

An older adult with white hair and a striped shirt smiles gently while touching their ear with one hand, set against a light background.

4. Avoid having to ask people to repeat themselves

5. Hear phone conversations effortlessly

6. Listen to the TV at the same volume as other people around you

Woman putting on a behind-the-ear hearing aid.

Treating hearing loss with hearing aids

Most types of hearing loss are treated with hearing aids. For those with more severe hearing loss, there are other options available, such as a cochlear implant or a bone-anchored hearing system.⁶

Hearing aid technology has progressed significantly over the past two decades, improving the quality of hearing aids and delivering an exceptional customer experience.³ ⁴

Risk-free trial Hearing loss treatment

4 common myths about hearing loss treatment that are no longer true.

When to seek help immediately

If you experience any of the following signs, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Sudden loss of hearing
"Stuffy” feeling in the ear
Dizziness
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
Loud popping sound in the ear followed by hearing loss

Call us immediately if you experience symptoms of sudden hearing loss.

Sources

1. https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/46306-Hearing-loss-auditory-deprivation
2. MarkeTrak 10, Marketing Research, Inc.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111503/
4. https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52638-Top-five-myths-about-hearing-loss

Older couple smiling warmly while enjoying time together outdoors.

When is it time to seek help for hearing loss?