Your Hearing
What hearing loss actually looks like, why it is worth treating, and how to start the conversation with someone you love.
How hearing loss usually shows up
Hearing loss almost never arrives suddenly. It creeps in over years, which is exactly why it is so easy to miss — and why the people around you often notice before you do.
- People seem to mumbleYou can hear that someone is talking, but the words are not clear.
- Restaurants have become exhaustingBackground noise makes conversation hard work rather than enjoyable.
- The television keeps getting louderOthers in the room comment on the volume.
- You ask people to repeat themselvesEspecially women's and children's voices, which sit at higher frequencies.
- You avoid gatherings you used to enjoyGroup settings take more effort than they are worth.
- There is ringing or buzzingTinnitus often accompanies hearing loss.
Annual testing from age 60
Annual hearing tests are recommended for all adults beginning at age 60, regardless of whether you have noticed a change. A baseline test while your hearing is good makes every future test more useful.
People wait years between first noticing hearing difficulty and doing something about it — time during which the brain gets less practice at processing speech.
Untreated hearing loss does not stay in your ears
Hearing is how you stay connected to the people around you. When it fades and nothing is done about it, the effects reach a long way beyond conversation. Research has linked untreated hearing loss to:
- Cognitive decline
- Increased risk of Alzheimer's and dementia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Increased risk of falls
- Social isolation
Sources: Johns Hopkins Medicine; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). This page is general information and is not a substitute for a clinical evaluation.
Schedule an EvaluationStarting the conversation
A quiet, private moment works far better than the middle of a noisy family dinner.
“I miss talking with you at dinner” lands better than “you never listen”.
Many people agree to a free screening if someone will sit in the room with them.
When someone you love won't get their hearing checked
Almost every family has had this conversation, and it rarely goes well on the first try. Hearing loss is tied up with independence and getting older, so resistance is usually about something larger than hearing.
What helps most is lowering the stakes. A free hearing screen is not a commitment to buying anything — it is twenty minutes and an honest answer. We are very used to seeing patients who were brought in reluctantly, and we do not pressure anyone.
You are also welcome to call us first on 386-736-7192 and talk through the situation before you raise it at home.
Over-the-counter hearing aids: the honest version
They are a real option for some people, and the wrong one for others. Here is how to tell.
Mild, straightforward loss
Adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, no ear pain or drainage, no sudden change, no significant difference between ears, and no tinnitus on one side only.
Anything less simple
Sudden or one-sided loss, dizziness, pain, drainage, a history of noise exposure or ear surgery, or loss that is more than mild. These need evaluating before any device.
Fitting and follow-up
An OTC device is self-programmed from a phone app. A professionally fitted aid is programmed to your measured audiogram and adjusted over follow-up visits — which is usually what separates a device people wear from one that ends up in a drawer.
Common questions
Is a hearing screen really free?
Yes. Consultations and hearing screens are free of charge, with no obligation to purchase anything. If a full diagnostic evaluation is warranted, we will explain that before proceeding.
How long does an appointment take?
A screening takes around twenty minutes. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, including time to go through your results properly, usually takes about an hour.
Does it hurt?
No. Hearing testing is completely painless — you listen to tones and words through headphones and respond when you hear them. Earwax removal is not painful either, though it can feel a little odd.
Do you service hearing aids I bought somewhere else?
In most cases, yes — including aids from practices that have since closed. Bring them in and we will take a look.
What if I am told I don't need hearing aids?
Then that is what we will tell you, and we will suggest when to come back for another check. A fair number of visits end exactly this way.
Will my insurance cover this?
We accept insurance and a range of discount programs. Coverage varies a great deal between plans, so call us with your details and we will check your benefits before you commit to anything.
Ready to hear more of what matters?
Book a free hearing screen with the practice that has looked after DeLand since 1990.