Signs a Parent Needs Hearing Aids, and What to Do First

Health & Wellness · Explainer · 3 min read

Signs a Parent Needs Hearing Aids, and What to Do First

Hearing loss usually arrives so gradually that the person with it is often the last to notice. Family members notice first: the television creeping louder, the same question asked twice, a parent who used to love family dinners going quiet at the table.

Common early signs

• The TV or radio is turned up louder than others find comfortable.
• They often ask people to repeat themselves, or answer a slightly different question.
• Conversations in restaurants or groups are much harder than one-to-one.
• They say people mumble, especially women and children, whose voices are higher.
• Phone calls are avoided or kept short.
• They miss the doorbell, the kettle or the phone ringing.
• They withdraw from social events they used to enjoy.

Why it is worth acting on

Untreated hearing loss is tiring. Following conversation takes a lot of effort, and many people cope by joining in less. Research has linked untreated hearing loss in later life with loneliness, depression and a higher risk of cognitive decline, which is why doctors increasingly treat hearing as part of healthy aging rather than a minor nuisance.

How to bring it up

Choose a quiet, private moment, not the middle of a noisy family meal. Describe what you have noticed rather than making a diagnosis: "I've noticed the TV is louder lately, and you seemed to miss things at dinner." Suggest a hearing test as a simple check-up, the same as eyes or teeth, and offer to go along.

What to do first

1. Rule out earwax. A buildup can cause a surprising amount of muffled hearing, and a doctor can check and remove it.
2. Book a hearing test with an audiologist or the family doctor. It is painless and shows how much and what kind of hearing loss there is.
3. Talk through the options. For adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter hearing aids have been available in the US since 2022, without a prescription. More significant loss is best handled with prescription aids fitted by an audiologist.

Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears is a medical emergency. Seek care the same day.

Where a hearing amplifier fits

A personal sound amplifier is not a hearing aid and does not correct hearing loss. It makes sound louder, which some people find useful for television, a lecture or a quiet conversation, particularly while waiting for a hearing test. The SoundEase Rechargeable Hearing Amplifier is a rechargeable pair with noise reduction and a charging case. We explain the difference in detail in Hearing Amplifier or Hearing Aid? The Honest Difference.

Small changes at home that help straight away

• Face them when you speak, and get their attention before starting.
• Turn off the TV or music during conversation.
• Switch on TV captions.
• Choose a quiet table away from the kitchen when eating out.

More guides for families are on our Blog, and practical products are in Health & Wellness.