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

Age-related hearing loss, also called presbycusis, is very common after age 60 — but getting the right hearing loss treatment can feel confusing. Should you start with an audiologist? Are over-the-counter hearing aids enough? What about AirPods? And why do so many people say their expensive hearing aids “don’t work”? In this episode of the Better Health While Aging video podcast, geriatrician Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, talks with audiologist Dr. Cliff Olson about today’s best and most affordable options for treating age-related hearing loss. Dr. Cliff is the founder of Applied Hearing Solutions Clinic and the creator of the well-established YouTube channel Dr. Cliff AuD, where he educates people about hearing loss, hearing aids, and audiology best practices. You’ll learn how hearing loss should ideally be evaluated, what to look for in a high-quality hearing test, how audiologists interpret an audiogram, and when hearing loss might be managed with over-the-counter hearing aids (including AirPods) versus prescription hearing aids. Dr. Cliff also explains one of the most important — and often missed — parts of hearing aid success: real ear measurement. This best-practice fitting method helps verify that hearing aids are actually programmed to match your hearing loss, so they can provide access to the speech sounds you’ve been missing. If you’ve been told you need hearing aids, have tried hearing aids that ended up “in the drawer,” or simply want to understand your options before seeking care or investing in hearing aids, this conversation will help you become a more informed and proactive hearing healthcare consumer. For more resources: https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/po... Sign up for Better Health While Aging’s newsletter to receive practical health advice from board-certified geriatrician Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH: https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/fo... #HearingLoss #HearingAids #AgeRelatedHearingLoss #Presbycusis #Audiology #OlderAdults #HealthyAging #BetterHealthWhileAging #DrCliffAuD CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: Treating age-related hearing loss 01:03 What is an audiologist? 03:03 Medicare coverage for hearing loss 05:32 Best practices for a hearing evaluation 09:31 How to understand an audiogram 12:18 DIY hearing screeners and apps 14:40 Treatment options for mild-to-moderate hearing loss 16:59 AirPods and over-the-counter hearing aids 18:10 Treatment options for moderate-to-severe hearing loss 20:42 Why hearing aids sometimes “don’t work” 23:14 What is real ear measurement? 24:51 What to ask before getting hearing aids 25:21 Better hearing aid outcomes with best practices 27:10 Types of prescription hearing aids 29:41 How to choose the right hearing aid 31:55 If budget is a concern 33:39 Communication goals your hearing aid should address 35:32 Hearing aid fitting and follow-up process 38:00 How follow-up adjustments improve results 39:58 How long the brain takes to adjust to hearing aids 43:27 Why under-amplification can lead to poor results 44:22 Hearing loss & dementia 46:02 About Costco hearing aids 49:44 Final tips from Dr. Cliff WATCH NEXT Hearing Loss and Brain Health    • Hearing Loss & Brain Health   How to Improve Brain Health in Aging    • How to Improve Brain Health in Aging   Memory Improvement: Say No to These Medications    • Memory Improvement: Say No to These Medica...   Anemia in Aging: Symptoms and Solutions    • Anemia in Aging: Symptoms and Solutions   Protein, Metabolism & Aging: Nutrition Tips for Longevity    • Protein, Metabolism & Aging: Nutrition Tip...   Disclaimer: The material on the Better Health While Aging Youtube channel, including any exchanges in the comments section, is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Kernisan may make regarding an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a physician-patient relationship between Dr. Kernisan and a caregiver, or care recipient. None of Dr. Kernisan’s website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see the full disclaimer for more information: https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/di... BHWA podcast music verification code: YWDYY4X5EKFEP0ME