Hearing Aids and Hearing Loss Resources

I knew I was losing my hearing and thought I would have to leave that work. After 14 years, I am now emotionally ready to get hearing aids.
A pastor

What does hearing loss sound like?

Fred Flintstone Video Hearing Loss Simulation (1 min). Clarity is lost with hearing loss.

Click on the graphic above. Find out what people with hearing loss experience with Starkey’s Hearing Loss Simulator.

  • Choose a situation
  • Select the hearing loss level you want to hear
  • Click Play
  • Set your computer volume to 50% for the best experience

The Journey of Sound to the Brain (2+ min)

What does high-frequency hearing loss sound like?  (51 seconds)

Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Statistics (this website)

Hearing more clearly
Hearing tests
Hearing loss research on comorbidities (risk factors. Correlations, not causations)

 

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(1 page) by Dr. Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD. 10 short explanations …
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(HearingLoss LIVE) “We can be unapologetically Hard of Hearing with …

Hearing Aids

Choosing an audiologist
Be an informed hearing aid user
  • Open Letter (webpage) to Hard of Hearing Consumers and Patients. K. Cavitt, AuD. July 23, 2023
  • NIDCD free publications on Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants, with both English and Spanish versions. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.
Hearing aid reviews

The most important decision is choosing your audiologist. They will help you decide which hearing aid options would work for you and customize your hearing aids and

Insist on REM (Real Ear Measurement) when buying hearing aids

How to make phone calls easier with hearing aids

5 expert tips for using hearing aids effectively on the phone

Insurance and Purchasing Hearing Aids

Insurance-Medicare

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the purchase of hearing aids, but will often cover cochlear implants. However, Medicare usually covers hearing tests.

Professional audiologist associations (AAA, ADA, and ASHA) Support Critical Medicare Audiology Bill, H.R. 2757

Senators Warren, Paul, Grassley Reintroduce Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act in U.S. Senate (June 26, 2025)

Purchasing hearing aids, on a sliding scale (financial resources)

Local resources, usually in the city, region, or state

hearing industry map with hearing aids. 8 major manufacturers

Hearing Aid Industry Map v12 – Updated for 2024 (1 page, pdf).

This is the 12th edition of its map that tracks ownership, investment, and private-labeling relationships within the hearing aid industry. There are over 120 hearing aid brands and subsidiaries in organized groups under their respective parent companies. From Hearing Tracker.

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(3 pages) Two lists of hearing instruments that are ADA-compatible …
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(August 27, 2025) A new Bluetooth® capability known as Auracast™ …
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(2 pages). Wireless Connectivity (telecoils, Bluetooth), Hearing Aid Selection, Hearing …
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(2 pages) HLAA Wisconsin.  Information about wireless connectivity, hearing evaluation, …
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(2 pages) You don’t hear well and you’ve decided to …
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(2 pages) The first-time hearing aid user may wonder where …
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(1 Page) Important steps as you shop for an OTC …
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(17 minutes) March 2024. Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD. Approaching 1 MILLION …