Who Can Benefit?

Hearing aids can be used by people of all ages and are generally most helpful for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Primarily, the devices help make up for the damage to sensory cells that happens with normal aging, exposure to loud noise, drug reactions, head injury or genetic factors. Most hearing aids are custom-made based on your hearing loss, the shape of your ear, and, sometimes, the sound settings you commonly use (classroom, restaurant, music listening, etc.).

As the severity of hearing loss increases, hearing aids may not solve all hearing and communication problems. Additional equipment, called assistive listening devices (ALDs) may be needed to improve hearing in specific situations-such as telephone conversations, radio and television listening, lecturers in classrooms, public address systems, and other specialized settings.