By Helen Garrett
About four years ago I came down with acute tinnitus in my right ear and was diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss. Thankfully my tinnitus got better—while it’s always there (a whooshing, pulsing white noise) it’s not the high-pitched ring that it was when it first occurred. The ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) I consulted did tests to rule out a serious medical condition causing the tinnitus, and since that was eliminated, I now take precautions in loud environments so I don’t further damage my hearing.
The author with her new hearing aid. Credit: Steven Lawrence
I’ve also continued to get annual hearing tests, and last summer my ENT recommended I consider a hearing aid since my hearing has slightly worsened to “moderate.” He believes it’s because my brain is now favoring my left ear over my right and that if this continues, so will the decline.
In August I met with an audiologist* in my ENT’s office who fitted me for a high-end hearing aid, the Oticon More, and we proceeded to chat for about 20 minutes so I could get used to it. I was kind of skeptical that I needed a hearing aid—but when he removed it, for the first time I realized how muffled the hearing is in my right ear compared to my left. I’d acclimated to my hearing loss.
Moreover, for the first time I could feel how much harder my brain has to work to follow conversations (especially at dinner parties or in restaurants)—the brain drain you hear about that may happen for people with untreated hearing loss.
And these were not my grandmother’s hearing aids—those big bulky beige things that screamed “I’M OLD!” Contemporary hearing aids are virtually invisible, and since everyone has things sticking in and around their ears these days, it’s a non-event.
Trying Out an OTC
The same month I met with my audiologist it was announced that over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids would be coming out in October, and while I wanted to buy the hearing aid then and there, it was expensive. Since I’m a budget-conscious freelancer I decided to first try the top rated brand recommended by The New York Times’s Wirecutter in August 2022 (then updated in January 2023), the Lively, which within a month was purchased by Jabra Enhance.
I uploaded my audiology report into the computer, tapped in my credit card information, spoke with a hearing aid specialist over the phone, and received my hearing aid programmed to my needs at the end of October.
It came in a beautifully designed package with videos and tutorials, but I was a bit overwhelmed when I realized I’d have to routinely clean it and change the tip, and I felt uncomfortable attempting this on my own.
A bigger issue was that this behind-the-ear (BTE) model of hearing aid irritated the back of my ear because of my eyeglasses, creating a sore. It hurt! I went out to purchase lighter framed glasses, and when this change plus some virtual counseling from the audiologist didn’t help either, I returned the hearing aid for a full refund.
At this point I considered going back to the audiologist so I could get that in-person extra care, but cost is unfortunately an issue for me, and it was expensive. A friend then suggested I try buying a hearing aid at Costco which has a good reputation in this regard. I joined for $60 and met with a hearing specialist there.
Costco Service
The Costco specialist recommended a different BTE hearing aid—the Philips HearLink. While the sound seemed somewhat comparable to the hearing aid from the audiologist office, when talking on the phone via Bluetooth it’s pretty bad. We agreed that I’d use my phone on speaker or my ear pods for long phone calls.
I have to say that it was wonderful to have the Costco hearing aid specialist show me (in person) how to properly put on the hearing aid, and I was to go back in 10 days for a session on cleaning and maintenance. I’d also have the option of having that done on-site as often as I like at no cost. And the Costco hearing aid cost less mail-order hearing aid, but with the added in-person service.
I’m extremely happy with the new hearing aid and plan to keep it, but if my hearing declines further or there are other complications, I might go back to the audiologist to purchase my next hearing aid.
Why? I can’t help wondering whether I’ve been penny-wise and pound foolish since I’ll probably have my hearing aid for three or even four years, so if you aggregate the extra cost over that time period plus the annual cost for my Costco membership, it’s perhaps an additional $350 a year?
Because an audiologist is much more highly trained—it's a four-year doctoral degree—they bring additional expertise hearing aid specialists do not have. That said, I was very impressed with the hearing aid specialist at Costco.
What I've Learned and Want to Share
Here are some of the other “aha” moments I've had from this process:
See an audiologist for routine hearing exams: if there are problems, they can rule out a more serious condition. They can also remove your ear wax if that is causing hearing issues.
While I was eager to save the money, after my experience, I recommend buying a hearing aid from either an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist—especially your first one.
If you have serious hearing problems, do consider spending the extra money to purchase the hearing aids through an audiologist given their extra level of training, and think about the difference in cost over the lifespan of your hearing aids.
When buying a hearing aid, notice the return policy! It took some time to figure out what was right for me. It was a huge comfort to be able to try the various models without financial risk. Most hearing aids including OTCs give several weeks to try out the devices.
My brain still functions well, but don’t postpone getting a hearing aid if you have moderate hearing loss: Research has shown untreated hearing loss is associated with a doubled risk for dementia.** I could feel the cognitive drain from working so hard to follow conversations but had gotten used to it—it’s not OK. Don’t put it off!
I am SHOCKED how many people I know have not had their hearing tested since they were children. People take their hearing for granted, and this needs to change.
And many of my friends and family with hearing damage just live with it, not realizing the profound long-term impact on their lives.
With so many health ramifications from hearing damage, why don’t primary care physicians ask at annual checkups, “When was the last time you had a hearing test?” In today’s increasingly noisy world—with many people plugged into personal listening devices for hours each day often at punishing sound levels—this should be standard practice, including for people in their 20s and 30s.
Now that I’m over 60 with some hearing damage and have learned how important hearing health is to my overall health (emotional, cardiovascular, brain, etc.), I’m furious that hearing aids aren’t covered by Medicare or most insurance companies, and that they are so darn expensive!
Why is our hearing a second-class citizen to other senses like eyesight? While finishing this piece I quickly Googled and found that the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids. Yet adoption rates among those who could benefit from hearing aids are low, the NIDCD says: 16 percent among adults ages 20 to 69, and 30 percent among older adults ages 70 and older. A 2019 study in the Hearing Journal estimates this comes at a cost of $133 billion each year in the U.S.
Let’s make hearing tests routine, let’s make sure everyone has access to a qualified hearing aid specialist or audiologist, let's lower the cost of hearing aids, and let’s get it covered by all health insurance and Medicare. Please!
*In a weird coincidence, my Brooklyn audiologist is coincidentally the famous-for-five-minutes Ben Schultz, Au.D., who appeared on the ”Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast taped live at New York City’s Beacon Theatre at the end of November.
Helen Garrett is a consultant for HHF’s Keep Listening campaign. Her experience mirrors that of those interviewed in The New York Times recently, “Hearing Aids Are Changing. Their Users Are, Too.”
**Editor’s Note: For comparison, having two or more chronic conditions, experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, and staying in a hospital intensive care unit are also all associated with a doubled risk, just to name a few. Get more recent brain health news here.
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I wanted to create a story that not only celebrated the beauty of differences but also conveyed the importance of empathy and understanding. My heart was set on crafting a tale that could empower children with hearing loss while also educating their peers about the significance of inclusivity.