Despite the fact that the options for hearing aids have greatly increased, and the prices of such devices have dropped (though they are still too pricey for many), it doesn’t seem that older adults are flocking to their local Best Buy or audiologist to get on the path to better hearing. It’s now been over a year since over-the-counter hearing aids were introduced to the American consumer, but the market continues to be confusing and largely remains unembraced by the millions of Americans who could benefit from better hearing. While no hearing aid can restore your hearing to its previous natural level, the physical and mental health benefits of using a hearing aid are uncontested and continue to be discovered. And yet, so many still resist.

In recent months, ongoing hearing studies have reported that among certain older populations, the risk of dementia can be cut by almost 50% through the use of a hearing aid. And, as we previously reported, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed that consistent use of a hearing aid in people with mild hearing loss can significantly lower the risk of falls in that population. Yet, according to a 2022 survey, older adults are twice as likely to take their pets to the vet rather than have their own hearing checked.  In fact, it’s estimated that the average wait before seeking out a hearing aid is about 10 years after the onset of hearing difficulties. Why such a long wait?

It’s not as if hearing loss is a pleasurable experience. As Blogger Shari Eberts, creator of the blog Living With Hearing Loss notes, it can be exhausting dealing with hearing loss, as you need to try to make sense of everything you hear (which can be taxing on your brain), you can often be dismissed by people who are unwilling to repeat themselves (and relay those dreaded words “never mind”), and you can miss out on important social opportunities, not to mention all of the health problems we previously cited. A recent Harris survey of 1000 adults aged 50 and older amplified these challenges. Among the 64% who reported hearing difficulties, 55% said hearing loss negatively affects their enjoyment of entertainment, 40% said it negatively affects their personal relationships and 46% said other people don’t appreciate how their hearing problems impact the quality of their lives. And, of course, there continues to be the stigma and embarrassment of wearing a hearing aid. As one hearing-impaired person recently noted in The Guardian, “I suppose we almost wholly associate hearing loss with older people, whereas glasses are worn at any age.” This is, of course, a misinformed perspective, as people of all ages can and do have hearing difficulties. Yet the stigma of “not wanting to appear old” continues when it comes to hearing aids.

However, producers of over-the-counter hearing aids are hopeful that market conditions will evolve as more technologically sophisticated products come to market and as prices drop further. Reviews of many of the newer options abound, including up-to-date reviews in The New York Times/Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, and HearAdvisor.com. The National Council on Aging even gave a positive review to a pair of Audien hearing aids that retails for about $200. And speaking of technological sophistication, 2 new products are coming to market that should wow anyone with an interest in devices for the hearing impaired. First, the eyeglass manufacturer EssilorLuxottica plans to produce a set of eyeglasses with a hearing aid embedded in the eyeglass earpiece. Read one reviewer’s positive review of what he experienced with these glasses here. Also, Scientific American reports that glasses that can transcribe conversations and give you real-time captions are also heading to market. If you’ve ever wished for the type of movie subtitles you enjoy to exist in everyday conversations, this may be your wish come true. For more on this new product, put on your glasses and read here.