--- title: 8 Signs It Is Time to Try Hearing Aids description: Let's look at eight signs alerting you that it might be time to seek hearing aid services. image: https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Copy%20of%208%20Signs%20It%20Is%20Time%20To%20Try%20Hearing%20Aids.jpg --- - Banking - [Checking](https://dortonline.org/checking/) - [Boost Checking](https://dortonline.org/checking/boost/) - [Rates](https://dortonline.org/savings-and-investing-rates/) - [Certificate](https://dortonline.org/certificates/) - [Savings](https://dortonline.org/savings/) - [Online/Mobile Banking](https://dortonline.org/online-banking/) - [Fees](https://dortonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Consumer-Fee-Disclosure6-24.pdf) - Borrowing - [Vehicle Loans](https://dortonline.org/vehicles/) - [Loan Rates](https://dortonline.org/loan-rates/) - [Home Loans](https://dortonline.org/mortgages/) - [Home Equity](https://dortonline.org/home-equity/) - [EZLOC](https://dortonline.org/ezloc/) - [Quick Cash](https://dortonline.org/quick-cash/) - 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[Technology](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/technology),[Getting Older](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/getting-older),[Health](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/health),[Care](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/care) # 8 Signs It Is Time to Try Hearing Aids [![Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Artboard%201.svg) Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) calendar icon Feb 17, 2026 11:10:42 AM · Reading time 4 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) One of the most common consequences of aging is hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), [approximately 430 million people](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss) worldwide require rehabilitation for “disabling” hearing loss. This number is expected to nearly double to 700 million by 2050. Despite the seriousness of hearing loss, it often goes untreated. In a [survey](https://www.asha.org/news/2021/new-poll-of-us-adults-reveals-widespread-inaction-on-hearing-loss/) conducted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 51% of respondents reported hearing problems, but only 11% received treatment, of which about [80% were fitted with hearing aids](https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-tinnitus-statistics). Yet, [sources report](https://keck.usc.edu/news/hearing-aids-dont-just-help-you-hear-they-can-also-prevent-permanent-hearing-loss/) that it typically takes seven years from the onset of the loss before people seek treatment. There are many reasons for this delay: - Denial – Hearing loss often occurs gradually, so many don’t admit to hearing loss until it becomes unmanageable. - Stigma – Hearing loss is frequently associated with the unpleasant aspects of aging, like physical decline and loss of independence. - Cost – Medicare currently doesn’t cover hearing aids, so many view this treatment as unaffordable. - Lack of Knowledge – Hearing loss is more than an annoyance. Many don’t know that it can also contribute to depression, anxiety, social isolation, and dementia, as well as falls and other accidental injuries. Are you wondering if you’re experiencing hearing loss? Let’s look at eight signs that it might be time to seek treatment. *Keep medical funds accessible when timing matters. A money market account offers flexibility while your savings grow.* *[*Click here or the button below to unlock higher earnings with a Money Market Account from Dort Financial Credit Union.*](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLpnG9p7K1if%2BlrIpJ6z%2FyC7MxRZfRsjpNA7rNXnYztYGYLmCCBWtVSyksso%2FM2i%2FY6VUAXODNPWd1ioKvdkH1eFyPLuzo0HmJQ%2BRrycQ%2FvBIyPodyG5o2tiZV7ZYzD4uit47AheaBTRqckgo9Hhe7SdEi8PpBHBFxSd83izaeQZNo%3D&portalId=49525284)* *[![Platinum Money Market - Start Earning Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/49525284/interactive-192422150063.png)](https://life.dortonline.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJ8WspEqtdInOGi0l%2FZe%2BkeZQOyZJV336rfbqRvmvNg2XGZ7DDMl6fPAeWXsP8r3znyQkoXQADdtC5nX3jFgsw07C1RaA%2Bx49xJ%2FOvx%2BdcFsgUj4B5vvouWk2vrK8pPPkEgGPmJYvbTs8%2FbGWj1JpUIC2fa0oyKH4pAaWCYf38JFxc%3D&webInteractiveContentId=192422150063&portalId=49525284)* ## **Signs It May Be Time to Seek Treatment** ### You Ask People to Repeat Themselves It’s normal to occasionally ask people to repeat themselves if we have not heard something distinctly. But if you ask others frequently to repeat their words or raise their volume, you may be suffering from hearing loss. With a small degree of loss, you may still be able to understand most of what people are saying, but voices will seem a bit muffled. This can trick you into thinking your hearing is okay, but everyone else is speaking too quietly. ### You Feel Frustrated and Antisocial It’s inevitable that those who have hearing difficulties feel isolated and frustrated because they can't easily understand what others around them are saying. This is especially true in group situations, such as in restaurants or other typically noisy places. As a result, it can be all too tempting to sink into the background and stop participating. Unfortunately, withdrawing from social situations due to hearing loss is possibly the most challenging symptom to recognize. Perhaps you try to rationalize the situation by telling yourself you’re tired or feeling distracted. If a friend or family member tells you that they miss your contribution to the discussion, pay attention. You may not even be aware that hearing problems are affecting your normal behavior. ### You Don’t Like Talking Over the Phone Having trouble hearing on the phone while conversing with a loved one, friend, or coworker is stressful. You might sense that the phone is too quiet, frequently ask the other person to repeat themselves, or find that it’s hard to converse without seeing the other person’s mouth move. Any of these could indicate a hearing deficit. ### You Have a Perpetual Ringing in the Ears Tinnitus, the persistent ringing in the ears, is a common condition. This condition can even affect sleep, job performance, and overall enjoyment of life. Suicide has even resulted in extreme cases where victims experienced prolonged or severe suffering. ### Others Complain That Your TV Is Too Loud Suppose you’re watching a game on TV or binge-watching your favorite show, but you can’t clearly understand the words being spoken. Yet, when you then turn up the volume to compensate, others around you get irritated by the excessive noise. Another tip-off is if you routinely need to turn on subtitles or closed captioning to understand what’s being said. ### You Rely on Visual Cues Those with hearing loss often rely on lip movement, facial expressions, and body language as context clues to help them understand what someone is saying. This can begin subtly, so that we scarcely realize when it becomes habitual, developing into an unconscious crutch that reinforces our denial of a hearing issue. ### You Can’t Tell Where Sounds Are Coming From Knowing the origin of a sound is essential for everyday living. Suppose you misplaced your mobile phone and asked someone to call you to locate it by the ringtone. Because each ear hears a sound at a slightly different time, our brains automatically triangulate to give us a precise picture of the sound’s origin. However, if one or both ears aren’t accurately picking up the sound, our brain can’t easily locate the source. ### Frequently Avoiding Noisy Situations Many everyday activities, from driving to watching a movie, occur in the presence of ambient noise. If you miss out on regular discussions because background noise is too loud or people’s voices seem too soft, it could be a classic sign that your hearing might be compromised. ## **When to Seek Help** Many people live with changes in their hearing for years before they ever talk to someone about it. The shift happens so gradually that it’s easy to adjust without realizing how much has changed. Conversations take more effort and everyday sounds fade into the background of daily life. If any of this feels familiar, it’s worth getting your hearing checked. Support and treatment are widely available, and addressing the issue sooner can make a real difference in how you experience the world around you. Hearing well helps you stay connected to people, places, and moments that are easy to miss when sound starts slipping away. *Earn cash back on everyday health expenses. Appointments, devices, and daily purchases can all add up to rewards.* *[*Click here or the button below to apply for a Visa Signature Credit Card with Dort Financial Credit Union!*](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIH80y7oN5Gz9x5VhPqzMUFxvihAs9JZ7tzISE%2Bys7aU9Y%2B2tdPRZQ8nZ%2BpqQ89BFJFH9miyhffFpIpeRXNm2V0zhTTUgbIz4f%2FQIn%2BOrMPpq05EOhWPIiro%2B6Ryd8c9kmFkbu33rZBdXitXdRo9CwWvUPG0kcvWw9NrW3zS74n2YC6Ha16q0Am&portalId=49525284)* *[![Earn 2% Cash Back on All Purchases](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/49525284/interactive-190244089418.png)](https://life.dortonline.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKiKXSTJ228N6WkOYMefw5cf%2BCG9urcTx9ad5LqRnz2s%2BnqloDtCgS007Jo4DFb%2FYQ2SKoB1CSvvR%2FY31hgCCwj5Rni7lIZsi7qmEJahlKAdamDuRBQvfOoVhNoVut3DuQHZw4rBHWqNgXWQDlvc9nUXyJNl0uEjsEVKOf7KcSuV26Pmr2Vn3yL&webInteractiveContentId=190244089418&portalId=49525284)* calendar icon Feb 17, 2026 11:10:42 AM · Reading time 4 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/signs-time-hearing-aids&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) --- [![Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Artboard%201.svg)](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) ### [Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) - [8 Ways to Improve Your Metabolism at Any Age](https://life.dortonline.org/content/-improve-metabolism-any-age) - [Discovering Your Roots: 11 Ways to Connect with Your Heritage](https://life.dortonline.org/content/discovering-roots-connect-heritage) - [How (and Why) To Pick Out Age-Friendly Sunglasses](https://life.dortonline.org/content/how-why-find-age-friendly-sunglasses) - [7 Ideas to Keep Your Marriage Fresh for Years to Come](https://life.dortonline.org/content/ideas-keep-marriage-fresh) ![8 Reasons to Laugh More as We Age (and how!)](https://life.dortonline.org/hs-fs/hubfs/6%20Reasons%20to%20Laugh%20More%20as%20We%20Age.jpg?width=600&name=6%20Reasons%20to%20Laugh%20More%20as%20We%20Age.jpg) [Leisure](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/leisure)[Lifestyle](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/lifestyle)[Health](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/health)[Entertainment](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/entertainment)[Mindset](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/mindset) ## [8 Reasons to Laugh More as We Age (and how!)](https://life.dortonline.org/content/reasons-laugh-more-aging-how) Aging is no joke to many of us. As British writer, John Mortimer said,  “The aging process is not... Nov 11, 2025 1:38:24 PMReading time 4 ![Nutrition Over 50: Essential Vitamins and Supplements You Need](https://life.dortonline.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/file%20(10)-Sep-18-2024-12-51-25-6953-AM.jpg?width=600&name=file%20(10)-Sep-18-2024-12-51-25-6953-AM.jpg) [Getting Older](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/getting-older)[Health](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/health)[Pain Management](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/pain-management)[Care](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/care) ## [Nutrition Over 50: Essential Vitamins and Supplements You Need](https://life.dortonline.org/content/nutrition-over-50-essential-vitamins-supplements) Our nutritional needs evolve as we age, and ensuring we're getting the right vitamins and minerals... 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