Hearing Aids to Treat Hearing Loss

Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. Today's digital hearing aids are smaller, provide more specific amplification to clarify speech, and contain technology to aid in difficult listening situations. Anyone who has mild to severe hearing loss can benefit from a hearing aid.

For those with hearing loss in both ears, two hearing aids are usually recommended. Benefits include the ability to localize sounds, distinguish one sound from another, understand speech in noisy environments, and shorten the time it takes to adjust to the hearing aids.

It is important to seek treatment for hearing loss as soon as possible. In addition to decreased quality of life, the inner ear, hearing nerve, and auditory processing regions of the brain slowly lose the ability to interpret certain frequencies of sounds if they are not used. Once hearing aids are introduced, the auditory system is once again fully stimulated, and one can learn to identify and interpret the sounds they have been missing. However, the longer one waits to treat hearing loss, the more difficult it is to recover the listening skills needed to understand and interpret sounds effortlessly.

When you choose UConn Health as your partner in addressing your hearing needs, audiologists will provide diagnostic hearing evaluations, identify when a medical evaluation is necessary, and recommend appropriate amplification based on your individual needs. Ear, nose, and throat specialists are also available for examinations, consultations, and to provide medical clearance for hearing aid fitting. We work with a wide variety of quality hearing aid manufacturers, paying close attention to the latest research and performance studies for the style of hearing aid best suited for each individual's hearing loss.

Hearing aid fittings include periodic adjustments or programming, verification testing, and hands-on support to ensure maximum benefit from amplification. All hearing aids have a 30-day trial period and come with full warranty coverage. Repair services include minor in-office and send-out manufacturer-based options.