At What Age Do I Need to Get Hearing Aids?

Hearing loss may be an invisible condition that has a significant impact on your daily life. Yet many people do not realize when it may be time to seek assistance. As we age, our bodies change, and this includes our auditory system. It leads to a common phenomenon known as presbycusis.

However, while presbycusis begins gradually and often goes unnoticed until social situations become challenging, the truth is: that hearing loss can begin at any age. You don’t have to reach a certain age to suffer from hearing loss. Genetics, environmental exposure, and lifestyle choices can influence when hearing loss starts to occur and affect a person.

That’s why it’s crucial to recognize the early signs and symptoms in both children and adults to make a difference in how they manage their hearing health. Learn more about hearing loss and how you can prevent it early.

So When Do I Need to Get Hearing Aids?

There is no specific age at which you need to get hearing aids. As we mentioned, hearing loss can occur at any stage of life. Various factors like genetics, noise exposure, and overall physical health can influence your hearing.

Instead, the need for hearing aids is determined by the degree and impact of hearing loss on your daily activities. This determination is not based entirely on age. If you break it down, all age groups may suffer from a certain degree of hearing loss. Whatever age that occurs, it’s best to consult with a hearing health professional.

Young children and adolescents

Newborns are often screened for hearing loss shortly after birth because hearing loss is a common birth defect. Any significant loss that is identified early on will likely lead to the use of hearing aids or other devices. Children and adolescents may require hearing aids if they have congenital hearing issues or ones related to illness or injury.

Parents and teachers may notice the need for a hearing exam if their children experience delays in speech and language development. Difficulties in communication or lack of response to sounds may also be a clue. A hearing exam will confirm the issue and whether there’s a need for a hearing device.

Young adults and mature adults (18-45 years)

This age group might be at the prime of their life but hearing aids might still become necessary. Having hearing loss due to illness or injury is always a possibility. They may also have noise-induced hearing loss.

Constant exposure to occupational or recreational noise (like loud music or noisy environments) may damage your ears and harm your hearing. This is why it’s always recommended to find a quiet place if you work in a noisy place, or not to turn up the volume of your headphones.

If there are difficulties understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments, or if there’s a need for frequent speech repetition, it’s a good time to have your ears checked at this age.

Middle-aged adults (45-65 years)

Hearing loss often begins around this age due to the natural aging process, although long-term noise exposure can also be the culprit. It’s normal to have early onset age-related hearing loss; start by having your hearing examined and go from there.

Red flags include speech that sounds muffled, difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, or frequent misunderstandings during discussions. Also, watch out if you can no longer hear nature sounds or loud alarms.

Older adults (65+ years)

Older adults commonly lose their hearing naturally due to age or presbycusis, which affects the ability to hear high-frequency sounds and understand speech. The symptoms start to show if you find it difficult to follow conversations in group settings, rely more on visual cues like lip reading, or experience a sense of isolation due to communication issues.

There’s no need to worry—all you have to do is consult an audiologist and have a hearing aid prescribed, if necessary. Remember that hearing loss is part of the natural aging process and a hearing aid can help you improve your hearing immensely.

When to Schedule a Hearing Exam

Some signs can point to the fact that you may need a hearing aid at your age. Look out for them. If they happen to you, you may need a hearing exam with an audiologist.

1. Your ears are ringing (tinnitus)
2. You find it hard to hear high-pitched sounds
3. You find it hard to follow conversations
4. You feel tired after concentrating on listening
5. You feel a sensation of fullness in the ears
6. You need to increase the volume on devices like the TV or MP3 player more than normal
7. You start avoiding social interactions due to embarrassment caused by not hearing well
8. You get feedback from friends or family who comment that you’re not hearing well

If you suspect hearing loss, it’s best to get evaluated by an audiologist. Audiologists are professionals who can conduct a hearing test and determine if hearing aids are necessary, regardless of your age. Early intervention is beneficial, as untreated hearing loss can contribute to social isolation and cognitive decline over time.

Hearing exams are also advisable if you are frequently exposed to loud sounds, such as in your workplace or from attending events like music concerts or rallies. Furthermore, if you know someone in the family who has a history of hearing loss or takes medications that affect hearing, you should consider regular hearing evaluations.

Conclusion

Hearing aid usage is not determined solely by age, but rather by the level of your hearing ability and/or any hearing loss that might have occurred. Hearing loss can happen at any age due to various reasons. Keep your hearing healthy by regularly going for hearing evaluations and making wise lifestyle choices.

Contact us to learn more about hearing aids and their functions. Hearing Associates of Las Vegas is always ready to address any hearing issues.