The new year brings with it a time for goal setting and resolutions to carry us through 2025 and beyond. If one of your resolutions this year is to take care of your hearing, you’re in the right place.
By 2050, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.5 billion people will have some degree of hearing loss. You’ve got a 25-year head start on addressing your hearing challenges, which is a great start – but with so many options out and about to choose from, which is best for you?
2024 brought so many incredible innovations in the audiological field, from AI sound enhancements to Apple’s latest foray into hearing care. Here are some of the most up-to-date methods for optimizing your hearing as of 2025.
Hearing Care vs. Assistive Hearing Devices
While many individuals believe that hearing aids are the one-stop solution for hearing loss, the reality is that great hearing technology is just one piece of the puzzle.
The care of your hearing care expert and the relationship that you build with them is what makes the biggest difference to your hearing health. Without a professional’s guidance and support, you have hearing technology but no advice on how it will best work for your needs.
Just as getting glasses requires a prescription from an optician, the best hearing technology options are the ones provided by an audiologist or hearing care specialist. Ask any of our previous patients – the care from our team partnered with their hearing tech is what took their hearing health to higher levels than ever before!
Everyone’s needs are different, and when you’re looking for options to address your hearing challenges, it can be difficult to know where to start for your specific situation.
Whether you’re looking for care that guides you along every step of the way or for an option you can figure out yourself at home, there are a number of options available to help with your unique circumstances in mind.
What Are My Options for Addressing My Hearing Challenge?
Whether you’re looking for the latest and greatest technology or for a quick solution on a budget, there are several choices you can go for that can address your hearing challenges, including:
1 - Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs)
If you’re looking for a quick option to do it yourself at home, a personal sound amplification product (PSAP) could be the option for you. PSAPs come with a built-in microphone that takes in sound and amplifies it, providing louder sound for many environments.
These are similar to “readers” glasses that you can buy from most pharmacies or grocery stores: a reasonably priced fix that works for some situations but not all. PSAPs can be a good option for those looking for a louder sound, but that includes all sounds, including the ones you may not want to hear.
2 - Apple AirPods Pro 2 – Hearing Aid Features
During 2024, the audiology world was buzzing with the news that Apple was venturing into the world of hearing care. As of October 2024, they released iOS 18, which includes some impressive hearing health features, like being able to test your hearing at home and utilize your AirPods as assistive listening devices.
While these can be a great user-friendly option for those looking for some quick noise amplification or individuals curious to see how their hearing fares with Apple’s hearing test, we’d equate them to testing your eyesight at home and ordering glasses online: a fix that works for some but not all.
Apple’s hearing test works based off of pure-tone audiometry, where you respond to the series of tones at different pitches and volumes that you can hear. In comparison, our comprehensive hearing tests include pure-tone audiometry alongside several other evaluations so that we get the most exhaustive understanding of your hearing health and what we as professionals can do to help.
We recommend that if you have taken Apple’s test at home and it told you of your hearing loss, then seek out a comprehensive hearing assessment to get a deeper understanding of your hearing loss challenges.
3 - Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
Federally authorized as of 2022, over-the-counter hearing aids are an accessible and affordable solution for those with hearing loss challenges who are looking for a budget fix.
Hearing aids are often avoided due to fears of the premium level of investment; OTC hearing aids lifted some barriers for individuals who needed hearing aids but could not previously acquire them.
OTC hearing aids are similar to readers in that they’re a quick and accessible solution that works for some individuals but not all. OTC devices are not prescribed to address your specific hearing challenges, including tinnitus symptoms or APD, and might be too “generic” for some people.
These hearing aids also do not come with a professional’s assistance in prescribing, fitting, or adjusting them. Without that level of extra care, some may find frustration in the lack of professional assistance.
4 - Costco/Big Box Store Hearing Aids
Costco has been a retailer of hearing aids for a long time, and their Kirkland-branded hearing devices are fitted in-store following hearing evaluations.
Like most things, they have the buying power to sell hearing aids at a discounted rate, which plays to the common misconception that people need hearing aids to solve a hearing challenge instead of the truth that most people need a combination of high levels of hearing care and great technology.
The transactional approach to the devices can result in follow-up care being reactive rather than proactive.
5 - Working with a Locally Trusted Clinic
Any and all forms of hearing loss challenges, as well as concerns to do with tinnitus, earwax impaction, and more, can be alleviated with the help of a local clinic headed by a team of passionate hearing health professionals.
For a hands-on approach partnered with the care and guidance of an experienced team, working with a local clinic for better hearing health is the right choice for many.
With a focus on your long-term hearing health, instead of alleviating a short-term challenge, you’ll partner with a team dedicated to your long-term journey to better hearing.
We also offer tinnitus treatment, earwax removal, remote support, and more so that no matter your hearing health concerns, you can count on your partnership with the professionals to help optimize your hearing and overall health like never before.
Start Your Hearing Health Journey with Allison Audiology & Hearing Aid Center
We’re here to help with every step of the way!
For comprehensive hearing care with a personalized touch that puts your unique needs at front of mind, you know where to find us. Feel free to get in touch via our website to get your questions answered, concerns alleviated, or to chat with a member of our team about your unique situation.
Don’t want to wait? Give us a call at (713) 827-1767 for a more immediate conversation.
