A seven-year study of 2,777 older Australians reveals a nuanced finding about hearing aids and brain health: while the devices reduced dementia risk by a third, they did not immediately improve memory and thinking test scores. This suggests brain protection ...

Over-the-counter hearing aids aimed to reduce costs and double adoption rates among older Americans with hearing loss. A survey in The Hearing Journal found that only 10% of older users chose OTC hearing aids. Cost wasn't ...

A new UK survey reveals a stark disconnect: The reasons people avoid hearing aids have little to do with reality.

Why it matters

Stigma—not performance—blocks treatment. Paul Surridge, chair of the British Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers ...

The hearing aid industry has long peddled a problematic story: "Don't worry, no one will notice." A groundbreaking 2024 study in the International Journal of Audiology reveals the damaging consequences of this approach. By treating ...

Imagine having a simple tool that could significantly protect your brain's health—and it's something you might already know you need. For decades, scientists have understood that hearing loss isn't just about missing conversation; it's a likely harbinger ...

Hearing aids aren’t just about sound—they may be a shield against dementia. A new study reveals that when hearing loss combines with loneliness, memory decline accelerates.

Why it matters

Feeling lonely—whether you live alone or not—turns ...

Researchers at the University of Iowa and Vanderbilt University tested three hearing aid service models and two technology tiers. The results challenge long-held assumptions about the costs and care related to hearing loss, providing clarity for millions ...

Researchers at Wake Forest University have created a hearing aid that does not need surgery to help children with conductive hearing loss. Their innovation employs advanced vibration technology to transmit sound.

Why it matters

Fewer ...

With nearly 50 years of experience helping patients reconnect with sound, our audiologists have identified three essential practices for successful hearing aid use. Based on thousands of patient interactions, these insights ensure new wearers can fully ...

Finding the perfect hearing aid can feel overwhelming with so many brands and models available. However, the vast selection is key to finding the best fit for each person's unique hearing requirements.

Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all ...

A new study presents a way to improve the quality of life of people with dementia by addressing hearing and vision loss, two modifiable risk factors. Hearing and vision loss make cognition and communication more difficult. While drug interventions ...

A UCLA study breaks new ground by showing that hearing aids can slow the acceleration of brain aging in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The researchers tracked brain metabolism in three groups: those with untreated hearing loss ...

Researchers at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, have upended a decades-old theory about how human brains figure out the location of sounds. The old model assumed we have specialized neurons to detect where sounds originate.

The neural ...

Bluetooth is a versatile wireless technology that allows a wide range of devices to connect and communicate with each other over short distances (about 30 feet).

• When connected, Bluetooth-enabled devices — smartphones, TVs, computers, ...

A new study has uncovered an unexpected benefit of hearing aids: They help extend your life.

The context: It's well known that hearing loss is an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes and mortality.

• But ...

Hearing aids are essential for millions with hearing loss. But should you always wear them or take a break? What is the best plan for my hearing? What about any cognitive benefits?

Why it matters

Studies show that regularly wearing ...

New research reveals adults regularly employing hearing aids see a significant 24% decreased risk of premature death compared to people with hearing loss who did ...

The latest research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society finds wearing hearing aids significantly reduces older adults' chances of taking a tumble. A study of 300 adults found hearing aid users had 50% lower odds of falling versus ...

As you know from reading our posts, hearing aids help protect our brains from dementia (Alzheimer’s, the most common type).

Dr. Christy Brand sent me this ...

Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, led a new study to explore the connection between treating hearing loss and preserving brain health in older adults.

The study ...

If you’re avoiding hearing aids because you feel they’re an admission of old age or disability, it's time to reconsider.

Today the research evidence is clear: Untreated hearing loss threatens your physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. ...

A new study published in The Lancet found that using hearing aids reduced the risk of cognitive decline by 48% in older adults who were already at higher risk. Cognitive decline ranges from mild impairment to dementia.

For a decade, ...

Wearing two hearing aids helps improve sound quality, speech understanding (clearer conversations), sound localization, and brain performance. It also helps mask tinnitus better and allows for better long-distance hearing.

Notable: ...

Telecoils are a practical hearing-aid option because they improve the sound quality you hear in many public places.

Telecoils (or t-coils) are copper wires installed in hearing aids that act like antennas. They receive signals from induction-loop ...

You may save money if you itemize your deductions for high, uninsured medical and dental costs such as hearing aids. The IRS allows the following qualifying expenses:

• Payments for dentures, reading or prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, ...

Lowering the cost of hearing care is the aim of over-the-counter hearing aids. But OTC products offer minimal features, are unsuitable for many people, and don't provide an audiologist's expertise and personal support.

If you're considering ...

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed hearing aids reduce the risk of dementia by 19% in people with hearing loss. The study also measured a 3% increase in cognitive scores with hearing-aid use.

Why ...

How long does it take to get used to hearing aids? Most new users should anticipate a month to a month and a half, but every experience is unique.

The big picture: Hearing aids don't instantly improve your hearing.

• Your ...

Of the 48 million Americans with hearing loss, only 20% use hearing aids. Why? Hearing loss is difficult to detect.

"The majority of people with untreated hearing loss are people who don't actually recognize they have a problem ...

Top hearing aid brands offer a range of models for In the Ear (ITE) and Behind the Ear BTE) hearing aids. They also provide a range of optional features that can solve annoying problems for wearers.

Once you’ve narrowed down the type (ITE or ...

What is the best hearing aid for me? Figuring that out is very challenging. It's a decision best made when you partner with an audiologist who has diagnosed your hearing loss and offers more than one type, brand, and model of hearing aids. ...

Researchers at Ulster University in Northern Ireland, led by Dr. Magda Bucholc, report two notewothy findings from their latest study:

• People with untreated hearing loss have a significantly higher risk of developing mild-cognitive impairment ...

Hearing aids are remarkable technology. Today, they’re small, unobtrusive, and loaded with Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable batteries. They’re smart too. They can automatically sense your sound environment and adjust to improve sound clarity. ...

Does this sound familiar? My 74-year-old father has a problem that is becoming a family problem. He knows he has lost some hearing but will not consider hearing aids. My mother is tired of shouting at him and listening to the blaring ...