+ Q. I think I have a hearing loss. What should I do?

We recommend that you see an audiologist, ENT, or your primary physician to arrange a hearing test. Do not delay your visit.

+ Q. I think I have tinnitus. What should I do?

We recommend you see an audiologist, ENT, or your primary physician. They may be able to help directly or may refer you to another specialist, such as a neurologist, physical therapist, or psychologist. Do not delay your visit, especially if not yet received a hearing loss diagnosis. In almost all cases, tinnitus is the brain's reaction to a loss of hearing.

+ Q. What are the degrees of hearing loss and the characteristics of each?

Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, or profound. Hearing loss that borders between two categories is typically labeled as a combination of the two categories. Learn more about each degree and see a visible representation of hearing loss by decibel level here.

+ Q. What type of hearing aid is best for me?

HHF cannot make individual recommendations and advises you to consult your audiologist, who knows your hearing history. For information about purchasing hearing aids for the first time, read our guide here.

+ Q. Is hearing loss permanent?

Many instances of hearing loss are sensorineural (permanent), while a few can be cured with drugs or surgery. HHF works daily to fund research to find better treatments and biological cures for hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the sensory hair cells within the cochlea in the inner ear. As a result sound is not able to be converted into electrical signals for the auditory nerve to deliver to the brain. Treatments include amplification through hearing aids or cochlear implants, but a permanent cure does not yet exist.

+ Q. What kind of hearing loss can be cured by surgery? What are the procedures available?

Conductive hearing loss can often be corrected medically or surgically. It occurs when sound waves are not able to efficiently go through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the small bones of the middle ear. There is typically a reduction in sound levels or the ability to hear faint sounds.

Surgeries include:

Pressure equalization (PE) tubes: Small cylinders are placed through the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear.
Stapedectomy: Insertion of a prosthetic device designed to bypass abnormal hardening of the bone tissue in the middle ear. This surgery is used to treat otosclerosis.

+ Q. What are some of the latest advancements toward curing hearing loss?

Through our collaborative Hearing Restoration Project (HRP), top hearing scientists are conducting groundbreaking research toward discovering a biological cure for hearing loss and tinnitus. Birds, fish, and reptiles are able to restore their hearing. If the sensory hair cells of a chick or a fish are damaged, new hair cells are formed spontaneously. Mammals are not able to regenerate hearing—yet! However, our scientists have observed regeneration in young mice, which is a positive step toward a long process of hearing restoration in humans.

+ Q. Is there a cure for tinnitus?

No, there is not a known cure at this time, but there are many excellent tools to reduce its bothersome effects. Both HHF's Hearing Restoration Project and Emerging Reserch Grants scientists are investigating better treatments and cures. See our list of available tinnitus treatments.

+ Q. Is there a cure for Ménière's disease?

No, there is not a known cure at this time. Some of HHF's Emerging Research Grants scientists are investigating better treatments and cures. See available Ménière's disease treatments here.

+ How can I donate to HHF?

HHF accepts direct donations online; by check mailed to us at 575 Eighth Avenue #1201, New York, NY 10018; and by phone at 212.257.6140. A number of other giving methods, including bequests, gifts of stock, and donor-advised funds, are available here.

+ Does HHF accept recurring donations?

Yes, and you can begin your recurring donation using this form. We appreciate your ongoing contribution to life-changing research that can carry on without interruption.

+ Q. What are HHF's charity ratings?

All nonprofit charity watchdogs, including Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, Charity Navigator, and GuideStar, have recognized HHF with top ratings for transparency and efficiency. We have also been named one of the "Top 5 Best Charities in America" by Consumer Reports.

For more, see our financials page.

+ Q. How can I volunteer with HHF?

Given HHF's scope of work, primarily focused on research funding, we are not currently set up to engage volunteers, but we always appreciate submissions of first-person stories to our blog and magazine, and follows and likes of our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Please visit hhf.org/subscribe to subscribe to our free quarterly, newsletter, and other notifications. Please note that print subscriptions are limited to individuals in the U.S. only at this time.

Please visit hhf.org/subscribe and select “eNewsletter.”

You can update your subscription information by logging into your profile and updating your information.

+ Q. Can I receive disability compensation if I'm a veteran with a hearing condition?

Yes. Find your nearest Federal VA office and receive a rating for your condition(s). If you already have a rating, seek a reevaluation if at all possible to determine if your condition has worsened over time. If you have a service-connected disability you can learn more here.

+ Q. Do you accept guest articles to your magazine and blog?

Yes, we accept educational, nonpromotional blog posts and magazine articles, subject to editorial review and consideration. Please note we cannot guarantee publication. Please send editorial submissions to editor@hhf.org. Promotional content such as of a product or service is subject to pricing detailed in our Media Kit.

+ Q. Do you treat patients?

HHF does not work directly with patients. Rather, our foundation funds scientists investigating treatments for their use by doctors. However, our website, magazine, and digital newsletter contain information on treatments and types of hearing conditions.

+ Q. Are you accepting candidates for clinical trials?

To date, our funded HRP researchers work only with animal and organoid models. ERG-funded researchers working with human subjects will recruit participants via their home institutions and the NIH clinical trials listings. To learn about clinical trials across the U.S. and many abroad that may be relevant to you, visit clinicaltrials.gov. For information about clinical studies and whether taking part may be something you would like to do, visit the NIH Clinical Research Trials and You page and the NIH's Clinical Trials: Information for the Public and Potential Volunteers.

+ Q. Do you provide hearing aids or financial assistance for treatments?

As HHF's funding goes to research and the organization does not work directly with patients, we cannot help with individual financial assistance or hearing aid donations.

HHF recommends the following institutions for assistance:

Local chapters of charitable clubs, such as Sertoma and Lions, may have donated hearing aids available. Also, your audiologist may have used, refurbished hearing aids available, too.

Please note that cochlear implants are covered under insurance while hearing aids are usually not. But if needed, Jacob’s Ride provides assistance for cochlear implants on a limited basis.

HHF supports the sale of safe and regulated over-the-counter hearing aids as an affordable option for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Costco is another option, as recommended by Consumer Reports.

+ Q. What are over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids?

OTC hearing aids were legislated as a new Food and Drug Administration category in August 2017. Guidelines that address safety, quality, labeling requirements, and applications were finally released in August 2022. This category of hearing aid is only indicated for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Learn more from our blog post summarizing the FDA announcement.

+ Q. Do you accept used hearing aid donations?

We do not, but we recommend either giving them to your audiologist or contacting Hearing Charities of America, an organization that collects used hearing aids so they can be refurbished and given to those in need through the Hearing Aid Project. For more information, see their website.

+ Q. How do I apply to your Emerging Research Grants program?

Please check this page to see if applications are currently open. If closed, you can learn about our policies before the next application cycle begins by signing up to receive alerts from that page.

+ Q. Who qualifies for your Emerging Research Grants program?

For eligibility information for the Emerging Research Grants program, please see Sections III (A) and (B) of the ERG Policy.

+ Q. Do you review O-1 petitions for eligibility for O-1 visas and issue advisory opinions?

No, we do not review applications for individuals seeking sponsorship in the U.S. to perform their research. We only fund grants to individuals who are currently based at a U.S. institution.

If your question is not listed, email us at info@hhf.org.