For those affected by hearing loss, headphones can be an excellent way to reclaim some of the pleasures of the past. Here is everything you need to know to choose the right headphones.
The symptoms of hearing loss
When a person loses their hearing, a part of their world becomes diminished. It is an experience that sometimes involves a considerable amount of learning. Depending on the degree of hearing loss, one must get used to a multitude of new parameters.
For those who develop hearing loss later in life, the ability to hear has shaped their existence in a thousand ways: recognizing the voices of loved ones, the ones that make you feel safe and loved. But it also means identifying traffic noises and understanding how certain sounds signal danger. Another essential area of our listening experience is music.
Music is a universal language, understood and felt all over the world. Phenomena like Michael Jackson or the Beatles show just how transcendent it can be. It crosses cultures and connects entire continents. For many of us, some of our finest memories are linked to our favorite music: the moments that forged our musical tastes, or simply wonderful memories set to music by our go-to songs.
For the person experiencing hearing loss, the idea of losing this precious joy is not easy to accept. With diminished hearing, how can one continue to listen to music?
Types and degrees of hearing loss
Not everyone experiences hearing loss in the same way. There are three main types of hearing loss and varying degrees of severity. These three types are conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound fails to travel properly through the outer or middle ear. This can be due to a blockage (such as earwax), fluid buildup, an ear infection, or an anatomical problem. Some causes—like earwax—are easily treated, while others require medical or even surgical intervention.
Trauma or a foreign object can also cause conductive hearing loss by disrupting the passage of sound into the ear. In many cases, treating the underlying cause allows for the return of normal hearing.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear (the cochlea) or the auditory nerve pathways that transmit sound signals to the brain are damaged. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent and can result from aging, noise exposure, genetics, head trauma, or certain pathologies.
It often affects the perception of high-pitched sounds or the clear understanding of speech, even when the volume seems sufficient. Hearing aids are a common solution: they amplify sounds and improve speech intelligibility.
Degrees of hearing loss
The degree of hearing loss depends on the volume a sound must reach (measured in decibels, or dB) to be perceived. A normal hearing threshold is between -10 and 15 dB. As hearing declines, this threshold increases: soft sounds become more difficult—or even impossible—to detect.
The degrees of hearing loss are generally classified as follows:
Mild (26–40 dB HL)
Moderate (41–55 dB HL)
Moderately severe (56–70 dB HL)
Severe (71–90 dB HL)
Profound (91+ dB HL)
The more severe the hearing loss, the greater the amplification required to bring sounds back into a range where they are audible and understandable again.
What a hearing aid is for
Hearing aids are designed to amplify sounds that fall below your hearing threshold. Using microphones and digital processors, they increase the intensity (volume) of incoming sounds and transmit them to your ear via a speaker.
This makes previously unrecognizable sounds audible, which improves communication and quality of life. The type of hearing aid and its settings depend on your specific hearing loss.
The difference between prescription and over-the-counter hearing aids
Prescription hearing aids are tailored to your exact hearing profile. Some are custom-molded, while others are pre-sized but programmed individually based on the results of your hearing test. These devices target the precise frequencies where your hearing is impaired and can be adjusted over time as your needs evolve.
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, now authorized by the FDA for adults who believe they have mild to moderate hearing loss, require neither a hearing test nor a fitting. Although they are not customized to your audiogram, many OTC devices (such as our EV1 and EV3) use advanced digital sound processing to amplify speech and reduce background noise.
It is important to note that personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), which are similar in appearance, are not medical devices: they are intended for use by those without hearing loss (for hunting, birdwatching, etc.). They are not a replacement for hearing aids.
Headphones for hearing aid wearers
Wearing hearing aids does not mean giving up headphones. Many users actually find that over-ear headphones work very well, especially if their devices are discreet enough to fit comfortably underneath.
Others prefer to remove their hearing aids to use headphones—particularly with high-end or noise-canceling over-ear models. There is no one-size-fits-all solution: don't hesitate to experiment to find what works best for you, in terms of both sound and comfort.
Over-ear or on-ear headphones?
Over-ear headphones are often recommended for hearing aid wearers. They cover the entire ear and offer better sound isolation as well as better comfort—especially with behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-ear (ITE) models.
On-ear headphones rest on the ear rather than around it. While they are airier and lighter, they are less compatible with hearing aids.
Noise cancellation
The other option available to you is active noise cancellation. The principle: emitting sounds in anti-phase that cancel out what we might call noise pollution, without altering the music or audio you are listening to.
This is a feature we recommend prioritizing when buying headphones. While it does increase the price, the focus and clarity it brings to your listening experience are well worth the extra cost.
Conclusion
When choosing headphones, don't let your hearing aids hinder your decision. It is best to ensure you buy a model that is comfortable for your ears and enhances your listening experience. For us, that generally means an over-ear design and, if possible, noise cancellation.
If you are considering an over-the-counter purchase, our one-size-fits-all hearing aids are currently the smallest in-the-ear models on the market. They therefore pair perfectly with most headphones. That said, if you have any concerns about wearing hearing aids and headphones simultaneously with your level of hearing loss, consult your primary care physician or an ENT.
"The latest headphones and CLARIA hearing aids make an excellent combination." - Drew Sutton, MD, board-certified ENT.
Source:
Degrees of Hearing Loss | asha.org
Hearing aids: How to choose the right one | mayoclinic.org
Types of Hearing Loss | hopkinsmedicine.org
