Hearing health guides
Written for adults and the people who help them. Every guide lists its sources, and we update them when the rules or the research change.
Hearing aids
Costs, coverage, OTC versus prescription, and what to expect in the first months.
How much do hearing aids cost in 2026?
Hearing aids cost about $200 to $5,000 a pair depending on where you buy. See prices by channel, what bundled pricing covers and how to compare two quotes.
7 min readReadOTC hearing aids: who they're for and who should see a professional
OTC hearing aids suit adults 18+ with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. See the FDA rules, the red flags that need a doctor first and what OTC can't do.
6 min readReadThe first 30 days with hearing aids: what's normal and what isn't
New hearing aids can sound loud, tinny or boomy at first. Learn what's normal in month one, what each problem usually means and when to go back for a fix.
6 min readReadHow to choose a hearing aid provider: questions, trials and red flags
Audiologist, hearing aid specialist or warehouse club? How to compare providers, the real-ear test to ask for, state trial-period rules and what to ask first.
6 min readReadHearing loss
Signs, causes and why treating hearing loss matters for long-term health.
Early signs of hearing loss in adults: a checklist for you and family
Asking for repeats, turning up the TV and struggling in restaurants are classic early signs of hearing loss. A checklist, what family notices, and when to test.
5 min readReadSudden hearing loss is an emergency: what to do in the first 72 hours
Sudden hearing loss in one ear needs same-day care. What the AAO-HNS guideline says about hearing tests, steroid timing, and when to call 911.
7 min readReadHearing loss and dementia: what the research does and doesn't show
Hearing loss is a leading modifiable dementia risk factor in the Lancet Commission. What the ACHIEVE trial found about hearing aids, and what it didn't prove.
6 min readReadAge-related hearing loss (presbycusis): signs, causes and treatment
Age-related hearing loss affects about 1 in 3 people aged 65 to 74. How it progresses, what treats it, and why the average wait for hearing aids is 8.9 years.
6 min readReadNoise-induced hearing loss: limits, protection and testing
Sounds at 85 dBA and up can permanently damage hearing. NIOSH and OSHA exposure limits, hearing protection that works, and the hearing tests employers owe you.
6 min readReadTinnitus
What the evidence says helps ringing in the ears, and when to get it checked.
Tinnitus treatments with real evidence behind them
What actually helps tinnitus: the AAO-HNS guideline backs CBT, hearing aids and sound therapy, and advises against pills, supplements and TMS. Lenire explained.
7 min readReadPulsatile tinnitus: when a heartbeat sound in your ear needs a doctor
Pulsatile tinnitus beats in time with your pulse and usually has a findable cause. Learn the red flags, likely causes, and which scans and tests to expect.
6 min readReadDo tinnitus supplements work? What the trials actually show
Ginkgo, zinc, melatonin and Lipo-Flavonoid haven't been shown to help tinnitus in trials, and the AAO-HNS guideline advises against them. Here's the evidence.
5 min readReadHearing tests
What happens at a hearing test, how to read your audiogram, and who to see.
How much does a hearing test cost, and is it covered?
A full hearing test averaged $151 in a 2024 national price study, and Medicare's 2026 rate is about $36. See what's covered, what isn't and what to ask.
5 min readReadWhat happens at a hearing test, step by step
A first hearing test often takes about an hour and doesn't hurt. Here is each step, from the history and ear check to beeps, word tests and your audiogram.
6 min readReadHow to read your audiogram: a plain-English guide
Read your audiogram in five minutes: what the axes, O and X symbols and bone-conduction marks mean, ASHA's degree-of-loss ranges, and a worked example.
6 min readReadAudiologist, ENT or hearing aid specialist: who to see first
Gradual hearing loss? Start with an audiologist. Sudden loss, pain, drainage or dizziness? See an ENT first. Compare training, scope and Medicare rules.
6 min readReadEar health
Earwax, ear infections and protecting your hearing day to day.
Earwax buildup: safe removal and when to see a clinician
Earwax usually clears on its own. What the AAO-HNS guideline says about safe home care, why swabs and ear candles are out, and when to see a clinician.
6 min readReadProtecting your hearing at concerts, work and home
How loud is too loud, how long you can safely listen, which earplugs actually protect you, and WHO's headphone advice, with sound levels for everyday noise.
6 min readReadCosts and coverage
Medicare, Medicaid, VA and private insurance rules for hearing care.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids in 2026?
Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids, but Part B covers diagnostic hearing tests. See what Medicare Advantage adds and what to ask a plan.
6 min readReadMedicaid hearing aid coverage for adults, by state (2026)
32 state Medicaid programs cover hearing aids for adults, 3 cover only some adults and 13 don't. Check your state's rules, limits and how to use the benefit.
8 min readReadHearing aids through the VA: eligibility and how to apply
Eligible veterans get VA hearing aids, repairs and batteries at no charge. See who qualifies, how to apply, how to reorder batteries and how tinnitus is rated.
6 min readReadPrivate insurance and hearing aids: state mandates, HSAs and FSAs
11 states require state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults and 18 more for kids. See your state's rule, plus HSA, FSA and tax options.
7 min readRead