Are you losing your hearing? Did you know hearing loss can affect your balance and possibly lead to dementia? What type of hearing loss do you have? Will a hearing aid help? How much do hearing aids cost? Are non-prescription, OTC worth buying

Signs You May Be Losing Your Hearing

Four key signs that may indicate you are not hearing well.

• It sounds like people are mumbling when they speak.
• People complain that your TV is too loud.
• You have trouble hearing conversations in noisy places such as at parties or restaurants.
• You have trouble hearing over the phone.

https://www.nextavenue.org/social-implications-of-hearing-loss-how-to-cope/

What to Expect at a Hearing Test

There are three main types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss happens when sound waves can't reach your inner ear. Earwax or abnormal fluid in your ear may be blocking the path, or a hole in your eardrum may prevent it from vibrating. Medical treatment or surgery can often improve hearing.

Sensorineural hearing loss (also called nerve deafness) happens when there's damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss ranges from mild (difficulty hearing certain sounds) to profound (not hearing any sound). The hearing loss is usually permanent, but it can improve with hearing aids or other devices.

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Hearing loss in older adults is common. About one-third of adults over the age of 65 have some hearing loss, usually the sensorineural type.

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hearing-tests-for-adults/

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, however, it may cover diagnostic tests when your PCP refers you to an audiologist.

Medicare may cover certain surgeries designed to restore hearing. Cochlear implants are often covered as well as osseointegrated hearing implants for people with severe hearing loss.

Can I get financial assistance for hearing aids? Georgia residents may qualify for assistance through the Georgia Hearing Aid Distribution program.

https://psc.ga.gov/utilities/telecommunications/georgia-hearing-aid-distribution-program/

U.S. Veterans may also qualify for help.

https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hearing_aids.asp

How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost?

The average price for a pair of adult prescription hearing aids is about $2,000-$7,000+. The price range is largely dependent on the level of technology of your devices, and the ongoing "bundled" care you get from your hearing care provider for hearing aid rechecks and adjustments.

OTC hearing aids, which aren't suitable for everyone, have a lower price point. Using Apple AirPods as hearing aids, for example, will cost about $250—but the short battery life and limited amplification mean they aren't a good option for many people.

https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids/prices

Also . . . (comprehensive list)

https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-hearing-aids/#665f2b78deff15fd6b3f492c

My Personal Journey to Hearing Aids

My hearing has been gradually going away over the last 5 years, and maybe longer. About 3 years ago I had a free hearing test and was told they did not have anything that would help due to my upper range hearing loss. The person who checked my hearing said I would need to see an audiologist and have custom fitted aids.

We have a friend with severe hearing loss and has tried different brands, different prices, in search of something that would help. Recently she paid over $5,000 for a pair of aids and still was not satisfied.

This discouraged me from further testing until last summer when my PCP referred me to a local audiologist. She tested my hearing and said my loss was normal based on my age and asked why I waited so long to be tested. I told her that Costco tested my hearing and told me they had nothing that would help.

She then told me she had everything Costco has and she can definitely help me find a pair that works.

So I returned to Costco and discovered the person who tested me before no longer works there. I was tested again, my results were very similar to the test by the audiologist, and I was fitted for the Philips 9050 BTE (behind the ear) aids.

It took me a few weeks to get accustomed to them and now I often forget they are in. I was amazed at how much I was missing. Not only do I hear birds and leaves rustling but voices are no longer fuzzy or muffled.

They have other models including Jabra and Rexton. All the models are rechargeable (which is a big plus) and have Bluetooth connectivity. Some models have “better” connectivity with Apple phones, others with Android.

https://www.costco.com/hearing-aid-center.html

Are OTC Hearing Aids Worth Buying?

My personal research, which included talking with friends who have hearing aids, led me to the conclusion that many “generic” OTC aids sold online were a waste of money for my needs.

Link to Harvard article about OTC aids . . .

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-you-get-an-over-the-counter-hearing-aid-202211162852

Closed Captioning for Smartphones - No Cost to You

InnoCaption is free of charge to the deaf and hard of hearing community in the United States, with no limits to how much you can use our service. We are funded and administered by the FCC to provide free captioning services for the deaf and hard of hearing who wish to use their voices to call but require assistance to hear.

Please note that you do need to have your own smartphone device or tablet in order to download and use our app. This device must also have a cellular or Wi-Fi internet connection.

https://www.innocaption.com/support

NOTE: your smartphone may have closed captioning built in . . . mine does. I have a Samsung S24FE. To find the hearing aid functions go to Settings and search for Hearing Aid options. Your phone may or may not have this accessibility feature but it is worth exploring.

I tried the Philips app for a couple of months before exploring the built in settings on my phone.The connectivity was more consistent with the Samsung settings vs. the Philips app so I deleted the app. In doing so I gave up instant feedback about the battery status but I no longer have to uninstall and reinstall the app almost weekly.

Want to Learn More?

Hearing loss can be frustrating, but in fact it’s common and treatable. 

Hearing Loss For Dummies, written by top experts in the field in collaboration with AARP, walks you through how to get the help you need to clearly hear the sounds of life―whether you’re at home, at work, or out and about. And hearing health is critical: Hearing loss can increase your risk of falls and injuries, isolation and depression, and even cognitive decline and dementia.

Authors Frank Lin and Nicholas Reed at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine lay out the steps to hearing health:

• Understanding how hearing works―and how it changes as we age
• Finding specialists you can trust
• Determining whether you need testing and, if so, where to turn
• Using your Hearing Number™ to monitor how your hearing changes over time
• Learning practical solutions for hearing better at home, at work, on the phone, and in restaurants and theaters
• Choosing the right hearing aid, including just-approved over-the-counter hearing aids, and getting them adjusted to work for you
• Exploring the pros and cons of cochlear implants and other surgical options
• Covering the costs of hearing health care

If you’re concerned about your own or a friend or relative’s hearing, this is the one book you’ll need. For what can seem like a complicated, stressful and lengthy process, Hearing Loss For Dummies tackles the topic head-on and provides you with expert guidance to put your mind at ease on the path to better hearing. 

* ™ Johns Hopkins University

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119880572/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In Closing . . .

I hope you find this edition helpful. My hearing loss, though not profound, was more of an annoyance to me (and sometimes, Rachel) than anything. After my initial frustration with hearing test results a few years ago I tried to ignore things until my annual wellness visit when my PCP told me about a link between hearing loss and dementia. Getting old is tough enough without adding more medical issues.

Feel free to share this newsletter with others.

Bob & Rachel