What you can do to slow hearing loss and hear better today
You cannot reverse permanent hearing damage, but you can stop it from getting worse and make the hearing you have work better for you. The most effective steps are straightforward: turn down the volume on devices you use daily, protect your ears from loud noise, and manage health conditions that damage hearing over time. Many people also find that cleaning earwax buildup, adjusting how they position themselves in conversations, and using hearing aids or other devices makes an when ready difference in what they can hear right now.
This guide covers what actually works, what does not, and when to see a doctor about changes in your hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Loud noise causes permanent hearing damage, so keeping volume below 85 decibels on headphones and earbuds and wearing earplugs at concerts or power tools prevents future loss.
- Earwax impaction blocks sound and is easily treated by a doctor, so if your hearing suddenly got worse, ask your doctor to check for buildup before assuming you need a hearing aid.
- High blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease all damage the inner ear, so managing these conditions with medication and lifestyle changes protects your hearing.
- Hearing aids amplify sound and work best when fitted by an audiologist, but over-the-counter devices and smartphone apps can help in mild cases or while you wait for an appointment.
- Asking people to face you, reducing background noise, and moving closer to the speaker are free changes that work when ready and work alongside any device you use.
Reduce volume on devices you use every day
Headphones, earbuds, and hearing aids turned up too loud cause permanent damage to the cells in your inner ear. The louder the sound, the faster the damage happens. A good rule: if someone standing next to you cannot hear what is coming from your earbuds, the volume is too high.
Most phones and music players let you set a maximum volume limit so you cannot accidentally turn it up past a safe level. On iPhones, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety and turn on "Reduce Loud Sounds." On Android phones, go to Settings > Sound > Volume Limiter. You can also ask your audiologist to program your hearing aid so it never goes above a safe volume, even if you turn the dial all the way up.
If you listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks for hours at a time, take a 5-minute break every hour to let your ears rest. Continuous exposure does more damage than the same total volume spread across the day.
Wear protection during loud activities
Noise above 85 decibels causes permanent hearing loss. A lawn mower, leaf blower, or power drill runs at 90 decibels. A rock concert or nightclub is 100 to 115 decibels. Shooting a firearm without protection is 140 to 190 decibels and can damage hearing in a single exposure.
Foam earplugs cost a few dollars and block 20 to 33 decibels of sound. They work only if you insert them correctly: roll the foam plug into a thin cylinder, pull your ear up and back, and push the plug deep into your ear canal until it expands. Earmuffs (the kind that cover your whole ear) block 20 to 30 decibels. You can wear both at the same time for extra protection during the loudest activities.
If you use power tools regularly, keep earplugs in your workshop and put them in before you start. If you go to concerts or sporting events, bring earplugs in your pocket. Many music venues now sell foam earplugs at the door for a dollar or two, and they let you hear the music clearly while protecting your ears.
Have your doctor check for earwax impaction
Earwax buildup blocks sound from reaching your inner ear and can make your hearing seem much worse than it actually is. If your hearing got worse suddenly or in just one ear, earwax impaction is a common cause. Your doctor can see it with an otoscope (a small lighted tool) and remove it in the office in a few minutes.
Do not try to clean deep earwax out yourself with cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other objects. You can push the wax deeper, damage your eardrum, or cause an infection. If you have a history of earwax buildup, your doctor can show you how to use over-the-counter earwax softening drops (brands like Debrox or Cerumenex) to prevent it from hardening. Softening drops work best if you use them once or twice a week, not just when you notice a problem.
If you wear a hearing aid, earwax buildup happens faster because the device blocks the ear canal. Clean your hearing aid daily and have your doctor check your ears at your regular visits.
Manage health conditions that damage hearing
High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease all damage the blood vessels and nerves in your inner ear. People with these conditions lose hearing faster than people without them. The good news is that treating the condition slows or stops hearing loss.
Take blood pressure medication as prescribed, keep your blood sugar in the target range your doctor set, and take heart or kidney medications on schedule. These medications protect your hearing as much as they protect your heart and kidneys. If you have not had your blood pressure or blood sugar checked in the past year, ask your doctor for a test at your next visit.
Some medications also damage hearing, including certain antibiotics (like gentamicin or tobramycin), some cancer drugs, and high-dose aspirin taken daily for years. If you take any of these, ask your doctor whether the hearing risk is worth the benefit of the medication. Do not stop taking a medication on your own, but your doctor may be able to switch you to a safer option or monitor your hearing more closely.
Use hearing aids or assistive devices
A hearing aid is a small device that sits in or behind your ear and makes sound louder. Prescription hearing aids are fitted by an audiologist who tests your hearing, programs the device to match your specific hearing loss, and adjusts it over time. They cost between $1,000 and $6,000 per pair, though Medicare covers some of the cost for people 65 and older, and many states offer programs for people who cannot afford them.
Over-the-counter hearing aids (brands like Walmart ReSound, Lexie, or Jabra) cost $200 to $1,000 and do not require a hearing test or audiologist visit. They work well for mild to moderate hearing loss and let you adjust the volume yourself. They are not custom-fitted, so they may not work as well as prescription aids, but they are a good option if you want to try a device before spending more money or if you are waiting for an audiologist appointment.
If you do not want to wear a device, smartphone apps and captioning services can help. Live Captions on Android phones and Live Transcribe (free app) show you words as people speak them. Closed captioning on TV and streaming services lets you read dialogue while you watch. Video calls with captions turned on help you follow conversations with family and friends.
Change how you position yourself in conversations
Small changes in where you sit and how you listen make an when ready difference. Face the person who is speaking so you can see their lips and facial expressions — this gives your brain extra clues about what they are saying. Sit closer to the speaker than you normally would. Ask people to speak a little slower or a little louder, not much louder, just enough that you can follow along.
In a noisy restaurant or group setting, sit with your back to a wall so sound does not come from behind you, and position yourself across from the main speaker rather than to the side. If you use a hearing aid, turn it up slightly before you go into a noisy place, or ask your audiologist to create a "restaurant" program that filters out background noise.
Tell people close to you that you have hearing loss. Most people are happy to adjust how they talk to you once they know. You do not have to announce it to a room, but your family, close friends, and coworkers should know so they can help.
When to see a doctor about hearing changes
See your doctor if your hearing got worse over days or weeks, if it got worse in only one ear, if you have ringing in your ears (tinnitus), or if you have ear pain or drainage. These can be signs of earwax impaction, infection, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which needs treatment quickly.
If your hearing has been gradually getting worse over months or years and does not hurt, you can start by seeing your primary care doctor or asking for a referral to an audiologist. An audiologist can test your hearing and tell you whether a hearing aid or other device would help. If you cannot get an appointment with an audiologist soon, an over-the-counter hearing aid or smartphone app can help while you wait.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, ask your doctor to check your hearing every year or two, even if you have not noticed a change. Catching hearing loss early makes it easier to treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can vitamins or supplements improve hearing?
No supplement has been proven to restore hearing loss or stop it from getting worse. Some studies suggest that folic acid, vitamin B12, or magnesium might slow age-related hearing loss, but the evidence is weak and the effect, if real, is small. Taking these vitamins will not hurt, but do not expect them to fix your hearing. Protecting your ears from loud noise and managing your health conditions work much better.
Does cleaning my ears with hydrogen peroxide help?
Hydrogen peroxide can soften earwax and help it drain, similar to over-the-counter earwax drops. Use a 3 percent solution (the kind sold in drugstores), put a few drops in your ear, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then tilt your head to let it drain. Do this once or twice a week if you have a history of earwax buildup. Stop if it causes pain or irritation, and see your doctor if the wax does not clear after a week of home treatment.
Will a hearing aid make my hearing worse?
No. A hearing aid amplifies sound but does not damage your inner ear. Wearing one at too high a volume could theoretically cause damage, but audiologists program hearing aids to stay below the level that causes harm. If you are worried about volume, tell your audiologist and ask them to set a maximum limit.
How long does it take to get used to a hearing aid?
Most people adjust within two to four weeks of wearing a hearing aid every day. At first, sounds may seem too loud or strange because you are hearing things you have not heard in years. Your brain needs time to relearn how to process these sounds. Wear your hearing aid as much as possible during the adjustment period, and go back to your audiologist if the fit is uncomfortable or the sound does not seem right.
Can I improve my hearing without a hearing aid?
You can make the hearing you have work better by reducing background noise, facing the speaker, sitting closer, and asking people to speak clearly. Smartphone apps with live captions and closed captioning on TV also help. But if you have moderate to severe hearing loss, a hearing aid will let you hear much more than these strategies alone. Talk to an audiologist about whether a device would help you.