If you’ve been wondering what are the signs you need hearing aids, you’re not alone. Every week in our clinics, patients tell me the same thing: “I’m getting by okay.” But when we look closer, the evidence often points to hidden hearing loss already affecting their brain health, relationships, and overall well-being.
Here are five signs you’re ready for hearing aids, plus a bonus insight into why early treatment can change the trajectory of your life. Watch the video below or continue reading for more information.
1. Your Family Is Getting Frustrated
One of the most common signs you need hearing aids is the frustration of the people you love most. You might feel like you’re managing fine, but your spouse, children, or close friends are repeating themselves, raising their voices, or seeing you check out of conversations.
Hearing loss rarely shows up overnight. It sneaks in gradually, so it’s often those around you who notice first. If your family is gently (or not so gently) suggesting you get your hearing checked, take it seriously. Their frustration isn’t about annoyance—it’s about their desire to stay connected with you.
2. You’re Paying Attention to Hearing Aid Ads and Articles
Have you recently noticed more ads about hearing aids popping up on your social media feeds? Are you reading articles about hearing loss or Googling “Do I need hearing aids?”
This isn’t random. Your brain knows you’re missing pieces of the puzzle, even if you’re not fully admitting it yet. That curiosity is a healthy sign that you’re ready to learn more and explore your options.
A word of caution: while over-the-counter devices can look tempting, they aren’t always the right fit for your unique hearing needs. Seeing a licensed audiologist ensures you get accurate testing and recommendations that match your lifestyle.
3. You Rely on Speakerphone and Turn Up the Volume
If you find yourself constantly using the speakerphone, cranking up the TV volume, or asking people to repeat themselves, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things.
Speakerphone helps you use both ears to hear, which can temporarily mask hearing challenges. Turning up the volume is another subconscious strategy to compensate for hearing loss. Over time, though, these habits can isolate you socially or create tension at home.
Some people even start dominating conversations just to avoid the stress of listening carefully. It’s a clever coping mechanism, but it can impact your relationships if it goes unaddressed.
4. You’re Proactive About Your Health
Many patients who visit us are already invested in staying healthy. They exercise, eat well, and keep up with annual checkups. But too often, hearing health is left off the list—despite the fact that untreated hearing loss is strongly linked to cognitive decline and dementia.
When your brain doesn’t receive clear sound signals, it must work harder to fill in the blanks. Over time, this extra cognitive load can affect your memory, focus, and processing speed.
If you’re proactive in other areas of your health, scheduling a baseline hearing test should be part of your plan. The earlier you identify any hearing loss, the better you can protect your brain and quality of life.
5. You Have Tinnitus (Ringing in Your Ears)
Tinnitus—ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears—is often one of the first clues that your hearing is changing.
While many people think tinnitus is just an annoyance, it’s frequently an early warning sign of hidden hearing loss. Essentially, when your ears aren’t picking up certain frequencies, your brain tries to fill in the missing input, creating phantom sounds.
The good news is that modern hearing aids can often reduce tinnitus by restoring the sounds your brain is missing. If you’ve been living with persistent ringing, a hearing evaluation can help you uncover the cause and find relief.
Bonus: Your Age (and Why It Matters)
Here’s something most people don’t realize: by age 55, most adults have measurable high-frequency hearing loss, even if it’s not obvious yet. By 80, about 80% of people need hearing aids.
That’s why I encourage everyone over 55 to get a hearing test—just like you’d get an annual eye exam or dental checkup. Establishing a baseline now makes it easier to track any changes over time and catch problems early, when they’re easiest to manage.
Why Early Treatment is So Important
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears—it impacts your brain, relationships, and emotional health. When you wait too long to address it, your brain can actually forget how to process certain sounds, making it harder to adapt to hearing aids later on.
Modern hearing aids are not the bulky devices of decades past. Today’s technology is sleek, smart, and designed to adapt seamlessly to your environment. The sooner you take action, the easier it is to preserve clear, confident communication. Have more questions? Give us a call 385-332-8754 or go to our YouTube Channel for more information.
