It is common for users of hearing aids to complain that they no longer work for them. Don’t despair: while hearing loss may be progressive, so is technology. Strides in improvement are rapid and if one’s hearing aids are a few years old, it may be possible to have them “tuned up,” that is, adjusted to compensate. Or, new aids incorporating the newest technology may be available. The improvement in quality of life may be worth the investment.
When acquiring new hearing aids, wear them consistently when awake. Hearing is a process of PERCEPTION and one’s brain has to learn to interpret the new stimuli presented. This can take weeks and also applies to aids that have been adjusted as well as to new aids.
- “Hearing Aid 101” Dr. Tyler Raup, Supervising Audiologist at the Chesapeake Hearing Centers, talks about what you need to know if you are in the market for hearing aids. Dr. Raup presented this talk at Riderwood on January 29, 2026. It was sponsored by the The Hearing Health Initiative Team.
- Mayo Clinic: Hearing aids: How to Choose the Right One.
- Consumer Reports (CR) for February 2026 provides an in-depth overview of hearing aids. Ratings of individual hearing aids and the Buying Guide require a subscription. CR reports on Hearing Aids. February 2026.
- Washington Consumer Checkbook: How to Select the Right Hearing Aid (some resources are only available to subscribers).