179 – Hearing Aids Not Working? An Audiologist Explains What Older Adults Should Know

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with audiologist Dr. Cliff Olson about today’s best and most affordable options for treating age-related hearing loss. They cover:

• What is an audiologist?
• Medicare coverage for hearing loss
• Best practices for a hearing evaluation
• How to understand an audiogram
• DIY hearing screeners and apps
• Treatment options for mild-to-moderate hearing loss
• AirPods and over-the-counter hearing aids
• Treatment options for moderate-to-severe hearing loss
• Why hearing aids sometimes “don’t work”
• What is real ear measurement?
• What to ask before getting hearing aids
• Better hearing aid outcomes with best practices
• Types of prescription hearing aids
• How to choose the right hearing aid
• If budget is a concern
• Communication goals your hearing aid should address
• Hearing aid fitting and follow-up process
• How follow-up adjustments improve results
• How long the brain takes to adjust to hearing aids
• Why under-amplification can lead to poor results
• Hearing loss & dementia
• About Costco hearing aids
• Final tips from Dr. Cliff

Related episode:

• 178 – Hearing Loss in Aging (Presbycusis)

Related Resources:

• BHWA: Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): What to Know & What to Do
• Getting Better Results by Reprogramming Your Hearing Aids
• The Importance of Audibility in Successful Amplification of Hearing Loss
• Doctor Cliff, AuD YouTube Channel
• Find a vetted hearing care professional through HearingUp.com
• DIY Screening for Hearing Loss:
  • Nationalhearingtest.org
  • Phonak
  • ReSound
  • Hearingloss.com