Understood Care
If you often say “What?” or feel left out in conversations, your hearing may be worse than you think. Hearing changes usually happen slowly. That makes it easy to adapt without noticing the impact on your relationships, safety, mood, and memory. The good news is that a simple hearing test can clarify what is going on and guide you to practical solutions.
If you are already thinking about hearing aids or amplifiers, you are not alone. Many people find all the ads and product choices confusing. This guide walks you through what matters most so you can get the right help at the best value, based on clinical guidance and evidence.
If you would like personalized help scheduling care or comparing benefits, you can book time with us through Appointments and get ongoing support through Care Coordination.
Age-related hearing loss and noise exposure often affect the ability to hear high-pitched sounds first. Because speech clarity depends on those sounds, you may hear that someone is talking but struggle to catch the words. Many people compensate by turning up the volume, avoiding group settings, or leaning on a spouse to “translate” in noisy places. Over time, this can lead to social withdrawal, fatigue, and frustration.
Everyday clues that your hearing may be worse than you think
These do not replace a professional test, but they can nudge you to take the next step.
If these scenarios sound familiar, schedule a hearing evaluation. You can use Appointments to get on the calendar.
Call your clinician or seek urgent care now if you have any of the following:
Early assessment is important because some causes respond best to timely treatment.
A comprehensive hearing evaluation is painless and usually takes less than an hour.
What to expect
How to read the audiogram in plain language
An audiogram is a graph of your hearing thresholds. The x-axis shows pitch from low to high. The y-axis shows volume from soft to loud. The closer your marks are to the top of the chart, the better your hearing. If the lines dip down at higher pitches, that pattern often explains why women’s and children’s voices seem harder to understand or why noisy rooms are challenging.
Bring your results to your primary care clinician or audiologist to discuss next steps. If you need support preparing for that visit, our Care Coordination team can help you list questions and share updates across your providers.
Knowing the cause helps your clinician tailor treatment and prevention.
Address medical issues first
Earwax removal, treating infections, or changing a medicine that affects hearing may improve symptoms.
Hearing aids
Modern devices can be small and smart, with options that reduce background noise, focus on speech, and connect to phones or TVs. There are two main pathways:
Assistive listening technology
Tinnitus management
While tinnitus is not always curable, many people feel better with a combination of education, sound therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Good sleep, stress reduction, and hearing protection can help symptoms feel less intrusive.
The “cheapest” device is not always the best value if you struggle to use it or if it does not match your hearing pattern. Consider:
If you want help comparing options or planning a budget, our team can review benefits and bills with you through Analyze Bills and Care Coordination.
If you are evaluating a switch to a plan that includes hearing benefits, we can help you compare options through Appointments.
You may be the first to notice missed cues, repeated questions, or withdrawal from group activities. Gently share what you observe and offer to attend the hearing test. Clear communication strategies help immediately:
Our Care Coordination team can help families prepare for audiology visits, organize follow-ups, and communicate across specialists.
The video emphasizes three things: hearing loss is common at any age, there are many devices and ads in the market, and choosing the right solution at a fair price is key. It also notes that Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, while many Medicare Advantage plans include hearing benefits such as exams and devices. If your plan has hearing coverage, work with a licensed audiologist so your devices are programmed to your needs. If your plan does not include hearing benefits, you can still find reliable testing and devices at a reasonable cost. If you need help getting started or finding an audiologist who fits your situation, visit Appointments or Care Coordination.
If you turn up volumes, struggle in noisy places, or ask others to repeat themselves, schedule a hearing evaluation. Tests are quick and painless, and they give you clear next steps.
OTC hearing aids are intended for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. They can be a good option if you are comfortable adjusting settings yourself. If you have severe hearing loss, ear pain, drainage, dizziness, or sudden changes, see a clinician and an audiologist for a full evaluation and a prescription device.
Hearing aids make sounds easier to hear and speech easier to understand. They do not restore hearing to normal, but many people report major improvements in communication, confidence, and quality of life.
Treat this as urgent. Call your clinician right away. Timely assessment improves the chances of recovery in some cases.
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or routine fitting exams. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing benefits, which vary by plan. Check your Evidence of Coverage or ask for help comparing options.
An audiogram is a graph that shows the softest sound you can hear at different pitches. Your audiologist uses it to diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss and to recommend treatment.
There is no single cure for tinnitus, but many people feel better with a combination of education, sound therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Addressing hearing loss with hearing aids can help as well.
Your next step: If you are noticing any of the signs above, book an audiology evaluation through Appointments. If you want help comparing Medicare Advantage hearing benefits or choosing between OTC and prescription devices, connect with Care Coordination.
This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.
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