According to the World Health Organization, hearing loss’s prevalence is set to double by 2050. If you’re here wondering how to address your hearing loss before then, congratulations—you have a 25-year head start!
There are multiple ways to address hearing challenges, from the most technologically advanced to simple fixes in a pinch. No matter your needs, there’s an option out there that will help your ears succeed so you can get back to hearing the life you love.
With so many options available, all offering different price points for similar functions, it can be stressful to figure out where to start. Here are some of your options for addressing hearing loss challenges in 2025.
Hearing Care vs. Hearing Technology
Many people out there believe that hearing loss can be fixed with hearing aids, but it’s a little more in depth than that.
The truth is that hearing aids can help, but the partnership that you build with your hearing health expert is what makes the biggest difference to your hearing health.
Your hearing health professional will work with you to formulate the best options for your unique requirements, from your medical needs and specific levels of hearing loss to your lifestyle choices and budget.
Relying on trust and understanding with a professional’s guidance will ensure that you not only manage your hearing loss effectively, but also that your treatment is curated with your specific needs in mind.
Whether you’re looking for a simple fix or a more guided experience with a professional touch, your hearing health expert will ensure that your hearing loss challenges are alleviated to the level that you need most.
What Are Your Options to Address Hearing Loss?
You have a few options to address your hearing loss in 2025; from simple amplifiers of all sound to advanced technological options, keep your preferences and hearing requirements in mind before seeing which one will be best for your needs.
#1 - Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs)
PSAPs for hearing are like magnifying glasses for seeing: They amplify all sound picked up from their microphone for a general volume boost of all noise.
These are an accessible way for those in need of general amplification but aren’t the most personalized; without knowing your specific hearing needs, PSAPs amplify all sound, including the sound you don’t necessarily want to be louder.
#2 - Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
Federally authorized in 2022, over-the-counter hearing aids are an accessible hearing aid choice for individuals who cannot access premium prescription options. OTC hearing aids provide some hearing assistance for general hearing needs without having to visit a doctor.
However, we’d equate these to “readers” glasses from the grocery store—a good solution for some situations, but not all.
OTC hearing aids are not programmed to your specific prescription of hearing loss, so if you need help addressing tinnitus or auditory processing disorder, the generic nature of OTC hearing aids will not be enough.
Also, over-the-counter devices come with one-size-fits-all earmolds, which can cause irritation and fitting issues for some individuals.
#3 - Costco’s Kirkland-Branded Hearing Aids
Costco has long been retailing their Kirkland-branded hearing aids as a surefire fix for hearing loss for Costco membership holders. They’re quick, efficient, and programmed to your needs after an in-store hearing test.
Their in-store hearing test is based on pure-tone audiometry; you listen for various tones and react when you hear them. This only tests for baseline hearing loss, and not how well you can hear in background noise, whether you’re dealing with tinnitus or auditory processing disorder, or whether your hearing loss was brought on by earwax impaction.
Costco’s retailer status also means that if you’re looking for follow-up care or repairs/replacements for your devices, waiting for an appointment could take weeks.
#4 - Apple AirPods Pro 2—Hearing Aid Mode
In late 2024, the hearing aid world was abuzz with the news of Apple’s “hearing aid mode,” which was released in iOS 18 last fall. With this new update, Apple users can test their hearing at home with the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which can be utilized as hearing assistive devices, providing some general noise amplification.
While these advancements in their preexisting tech are amazing and offer a huge step forward in the normalization of hearing care and hearing aids, Apple’s hearing test left us wanting.
It’s a simple pure-tone audiometry test that tests for hearing loss, which can provide some clarity, but for individuals dealing with tinnitus or other conditions in the ear, further care will be needed to help their ears.
Plus, Apple’s AirPods are notorious for a short battery life—they won’t last very long as your stand-in hearing aids.
If you take the Apple hearing test and results point to hearing loss, we highly encourage you to come and see us for a more in-depth professional hearing assessment; our exhaustive and detailed testing methods for hearing loss will provide more clarity on what’s going on with your hearing.
#5 - Working With a Local Clinic of Hearing Instrument Specialists
For any and all hearing concerns, working with a local team of professionals is your best bet.
We can help you address hearing concerns like tinnitus and earwax impaction, as well as prescribe and fit hearing aids programmed to address your unique hearing loss challenges.
Plus, we’re always ready to help—you won’t be waiting long for hearing aid maintenance or assistance with your hearing care. We see people, not just patients; our team of experts is here for you, every step of the way on your hearing health journey.
To learn more about professional hearing care, or chat with a member of our team, please don’t hesitate to request a callback or give us a call at one of our two locations.
