✔ Backed by: Hearing Loss Association of America · National Institutes of Health (NIA and NIDCD) · U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) · Medicare. Each fact links to its source, and the full list is at the bottom of this post.
October is National Protect Your Hearing Month [1]. It is a good time to ask a simple question: how well am I really hearing? And is it time to get my hearing checked?
Hearing loss often comes on slowly. Because the change is so gradual, many people do not notice it at first. Often a spouse, a grandchild, or a close friend notices before you do. About one in three older adults has hearing loss, and the risk goes up with age [2]. You are far from alone, and getting checked is a simple, practical step.
One important note before we go on. The National Institute on Aging says sudden hearing loss, which can happen over a few hours or days, should be treated as a medical emergency [2]. If your hearing drops suddenly, contact a doctor right away. Do not wait to see if it gets better.
Why hearing matters more than you might think
Hearing is about more than catching every word. It keeps us connected to the people we love, to our work, and to the world around us. When hearing loss is not addressed, it can lead to frustration, pulling away from others, depression, and loneliness [2].
It can also affect safety. The NIA notes that hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of falls. It can also make it harder to hear warning sounds like alarms or car horns [2]. Researchers have also found that hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of dementia and faster decline in memory and focus. The NIA reports that using devices that help hearing was linked to a lower risk of long-term decline in thinking skills [2]. That does not mean hearing aids prevent dementia, but it is one more reason to take hearing seriously.
Signs it may be time to get your hearing checked
The signs are often small and easy to explain away. You might have trouble hearing on the phone. Or you might find it hard to follow a conversation when several people talk at once or when there is background noise. You might ask people to repeat themselves often, or feel like everyone mumbles. Children’s voices and other higher-pitched voices may be harder to understand. And a classic sign: others say the TV is too loud [2].
For example, imagine a family dinner where you nod along but miss half the jokes. Afterward, you feel tired from trying so hard to listen. The FDA lists feeling tired from listening as one sign of mild to moderate hearing loss [3]. Ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, can also be an early sign of hearing loss in older adults [2].
Hearing loss has many possible causes. These include aging, loud noise, earwax or fluid buildup, some health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and some medicines [2]. If you think a medicine may be affecting your hearing, do not stop it on your own. Ask the person who prescribed it.
When to see a doctor first
Some ear problems need a doctor’s exam before you try any hearing aid. The FDA says to see a doctor, ideally an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, if you notice any of these [3]:
- A sudden change in hearing in the past 6 months
- Ear pain, or fluid, pus, or blood from the ear in the past 6 months
- Severe dizziness or a spinning feeling
- Worse hearing, or ringing, in just one ear
- Hearing that gets worse, then better
- Heavy earwax, or a feeling that something is in your ear
These signs can point to a problem that a hearing aid will not fix. That’s why it is worth getting your hearing checked by a doctor first. The FDA also says to get professional help if you cannot hear speech in a quiet room [3].
Getting your hearing checked: who does it, and what Medicare covers
Your primary care clinician is a good place to start. They may treat the problem or refer you to an audiologist, who tests and measures hearing, or to an ENT doctor. A hearing aid specialist is another option [2]. You can say: “My family says I miss things they say. Can we check my hearing?”
Original Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when your doctor or other provider orders them. You can also see an audiologist without an order once every 12 months for certain non-urgent issues, such as hearing loss that came on slowly. After you meet the Part B deductible, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount [4].
Here is the catch many people do not expect. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids [4]. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or other coverage, call the number on your card. You can say: “Does my plan cover hearing exams or hearing aids, and do I need to use certain providers?”
What to know about hearing aids, including over-the-counter options
There are two main kinds of hearing aids. A licensed hearing professional fits and programs prescription hearing aids. They can be used for all levels of hearing loss [3].
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids can be bought in stores or online without an exam or prescription. They are for adults 18 and older who feel they have mild to moderate hearing loss. They are not meant for severe or profound hearing loss [3].
The FDA does not require OTC hearing aid makers to offer a warranty. So before you buy, read the return policy carefully. That gives you time to try the hearing aids at home, at a restaurant, and on the phone. The FDA also warns that labels saying “FDA registered” or “FDA certified” may be misleading [3].
Tru-Tips: When you talk with someone who has hearing loss, face them in a quiet, well-lit spot, speak clearly without shouting, and try saying it a new way instead of just repeating the same words. The NIA shares these tips too [2].
Protect the hearing you have
Noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable [5]. Long or repeated time around sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the faster damage can happen. For comparison, normal conversation is about 60 to 70 decibels, while sirens can reach 110 to 129 decibels [5].
The NIH suggests wearing earplugs or earmuffs during loud activities, moving away from noise you cannot lower, and protecting young children’s ears [5]. For example, imagine keeping a pair of earplugs in the garage next to the lawn mower, or in your bag for a concert or ballgame. Small habits like these protect the hearing you have for years to come.
Let’s talk about it
Has someone in your life ever pointed out a change in your hearing, or have you gently brought it up with someone you love? What helped make that conversation easier? Share your tips in the comments.
One Tru Step: Ask one person close to you, “Have you noticed me missing things you say?” Then bring their answer to your next checkup.
Sources and further reading
- October Is National Protect Your Hearing Month – Hearing Loss Association of America
- Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults – National Institute on Aging (NIH)
- OTC Hearing Aids: What You Should Know – U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Hearing and Balance Exams – Medicare.gov
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss – National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH)
Sources checked October 15, 2026. General education; individual care and coverage questions require an appropriate professional.
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