While many believe that hearing loss was an issue reserved for those in their golden years, the truth is that hearing loss affects many individuals of all ages – not just older people! 

We see more and more young people coming through our doors. For instance, one of my youngest patients is just five years old, while my eldest patient is 104. Hearing loss can affect anyone of any age for a variety of reasons vastly beyond just getting older. 

However, only a fifth of people who need assistive technology to enhance their hearing wear them. Whether out of fear of looking old or being wary about the technology itself, people that need hearing aids often avoid getting them for a long time. 

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (nidcd.nih.gov), approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing.  

While age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is still the number one cause of hearing loss across the world, noise-induced hearing loss (hearing loss from loud noise exposure) has become incredibly common in the younger generations. 

Thanks to the Apple AirPods Pro 2, I have seen a huge spike of awareness regarding hearing loss and hearing care – which is a huge positive to see. Apple’s hearing test is rudimentary compared to a professional’s more comprehensive hearing assessment, but seeing multiple younger people visit us for more information has been gratifying. 

While many balk at the idea of wearing hearing aids, thanks to their previously awkward appearance, Apple’s AirPods are a more sleek design that encourages some users to check their hearing without the pressure of a full test. Plus, the AirPods Pro 2 do provide some amount of help with mild to moderate cases of hearing loss. 

However, the AirPods are notorious for a short battery life, are only compatible with other Apple devices, and provide poor amplification in busy environments like restaurants and bars. 

Thankfully, there are other methods for optimizing your hearing beyond the losses it has endured. 

Hearing Aids & Protection to Safeguard Your Hearing 

At 85 decibels, you are putting your ears at risk for permanent damage. You can limit the duration and the volume of damaging sound by wearing appropriate hearing protection. 

AirPods are a good entry into the world of hearing care, but if you’re looking for more comprehensive solutions, medical-grade hearing aids and hearing protection from a trusted audiologist are the best ways to keep your hearing safe from further damage. 

Your audiologist will guide you through professional recommendations for the best devices for your needs, as well as testing, fitting, programming, and customizing the hearing aids for your unique circumstances.  

Hearing aids also provide a more subtle appearance than AirPods, tucked in your ear canal or behind your ear, and provide several advanced features for user satisfaction, including volume control from your phone, direct audio streaming, Bluetooth compatibility, and more. 

Medical-grade hearing aids can also reduce noise and address concerns of tinnitus with built-in sound therapies and background noise suppression. Although coverage for hearing aids depends on the individual’s type of insurance, hearing tests are generally covered by health insurance.  

When Was Your Last Hearing Test? 

If you take the Apple AirPods Pro 2 hearing test and discover signs of hearing loss, we encourage you to get more details from an audiologist’s hearing test; with a more comprehensive understanding of your hearing, you can take care of any hearing loss with a streamlined and optimized solution. 

Audiologists like myself don’t just look at hearing; we’re looking for signs of cognitive decline, balance issues, fall risks, and more. Your ears do a lot more than just hear – they maintain your quality of life and help you continue to hear the life you love. 

If you’d like to explore comprehensive hearing care from the highest-rated audiology practice in the Virginia, Maryland, and DC area, please don’t hesitate to find your closest clinic and give us a call, or schedule an appointment through our website.  

We’re looking forward to hearing from you.