1 in 5 people have hearing loss. Most wait 7 years before doing anything about it.
Hearing Clear breaks down the types of hearing loss, how to tell if you have it, where to get an honest evaluation, and how to take care of hearing aids once you have them — no jargon, no sales pitch.
What an audiogram actually shows
This is the chart your audiologist plots your results on. Tap a category to see what it looks like.
There are three types of hearing loss
Knowing which one you're dealing with changes everything about treatment — some types are medically reversible, others aren't.
Conductive
Sound has trouble physically reaching the inner ear. Usually caused by something blocking or damaging the outer or middle ear.
- Earwax buildup or fluid
- Ear infections
- Perforated eardrum
- Often correctable with medicine or minor surgery
Sensorineural
Damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the nerve pathway to the brain. This is permanent, but very manageable with hearing aids.
- Aging (presbycusis)
- Noise exposure over time
- Genetics
- Certain illnesses or medications
Mixed
A combination of conductive and sensorineural loss — a treatable component layered on top of a permanent one.
- Common after chronic ear infections
- Needs a full evaluation to untangle
- Treatment addresses both parts separately
Do any of these sound familiar?
This isn't a diagnosis — only a hearing test can give you that. But if several of these are true, it's a good sign it's time to get checked.
Where to actually get checked
You have more options than you probably think, ranging from a five-minute phone screening to a full clinical workup.
Free online or phone screening
A quick, low-stakes first pass. Not a diagnosis, but a good way to decide if a real appointment is worth booking. Many hearing aid manufacturers and clinics offer these at no cost.
Audiologist
The gold standard for a full hearing evaluation. They'll run an audiogram, test speech understanding in noise, and can fit and program hearing aids directly.
ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat doctor)
Worth seeing first if you have pain, sudden hearing loss, drainage, or dizziness — an ENT can rule out medical causes an audiologist can't treat.
Workplace hearing conservation program
If your job exposes you to regular loud noise, federal rules (OSHA, and in some industries CFR-based hearing conservation standards) often require your employer to provide annual hearing tests — check with HR or your safety officer.
Retail hearing centers
Costco, big-box pharmacy chains, and hearing aid retail chains offer in-person testing, often at lower cost than a private clinic — a reasonable option once you already know you need aids.
Keeping hearing aids working like they should
Most hearing aid problems aren't the device failing — they're maintenance that got skipped. A few habits add years to their life.
Wipe them down daily
Use a soft, dry cloth every night to clear earwax and oils. Never use water, alcohol, or cleaning sprays directly on the device.
Keep them dry
Moisture is the #1 killer of hearing aids. A dehumidifier or "dry-aid" kit overnight helps enormously — especially if you sweat a lot or live somewhere humid.
Store batteries properly
Leave the battery door open overnight so trapped moisture can evaporate. Keep spare batteries somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.
Change wax guards regularly
A clogged wax guard is the most common reason a hearing aid suddenly "stops working." Most are simple to swap yourself — your provider can show you how.
Book a professional cleaning
Every 3–6 months, an audiologist can deep-clean and recheck the fit and settings — often included free with a purchase for the life of the device.
Know when to replace
Most hearing aids last 3–7 years. If cleaning and new batteries no longer fix sound quality issues, it's usually time for a refit, not a repair.
The main hearing aid styles, compared
Style affects comfort, visibility, battery life, and how well it handles severe loss — there's no single "best" option.
| Style | Where it sits | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTE | Behind the ear, tube into the canal | Mild to profound loss, all ages | Most visible style |
| RIC | Behind the ear, wire with receiver in canal | Mild to severe, most popular style today | Receiver can need cleaning |
| ITE | Fills the outer ear bowl | Mild to severe, easier to handle | More visible than in-canal styles |
| ITC | Partly in the ear canal | Mild to moderately severe | Smaller battery, shorter life |
| CIC / IIC | Deep in or fully inside the canal | Mild to moderate, most discreet | Trickiest to insert and clean |
Compare brands and find a provider
These link out to manufacturers, insurance benefit checks, and provider networks so you can compare real options.
Compare hearing aid brands
See current models and pricing from major manufacturers side by side.
COMPARE BRANDS →Check your insurance benefit
Many plans and Medicare Advantage plans include a hearing aid allowance — find out what yours covers.
CHECK COVERAGE →Find a local provider
Get matched with an audiologist or licensed dispenser near you for a full evaluation.
FIND A PROVIDER →Not sure where to start?
If you checked more than two boxes above, the next step is simple: book a hearing evaluation. It's usually free, and it's the only way to know what you're actually dealing with.