Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions in the United States — and one of the most underaddressed. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 28.8 million American adults could benefit from hearing aids, yet fewer than one in three people who need them actually use them.

For residents of Summit County and the greater Akron area, access to a qualified, local audiologist can make a significant difference in quality of life — but knowing when to seek help is the first step.

Signs It’s Time for a Hearing Evaluation

Many people delay seeking hearing care because the changes happen gradually. Common warning signs include:

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves, especially in noisy environments
• Turning up the TV or phone volume higher than others in the room find comfortable
• Difficulty following conversations in restaurants, meetings, or group settings
• Mishearing words that sound similar, such as confusing “cat” with “bat”
• Ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in one or both ears — a condition known as tinnitus
• Feeling exhausted after conversations because of the mental effort required to fill in gaps

If any of these sound familiar, a comprehensive hearing evaluation is the logical next step. The evaluation is painless, takes about an hour, and gives you a clear picture of your hearing health.

Understanding Tinnitus

Tinnitus — the perception of sound when no external sound is present — affects an estimated 50 million Americans. It can manifest as ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing, or roaring, and it ranges in severity from a minor annoyance to a condition that significantly disrupts sleep, concentration, and daily life.

The causes of tinnitus are varied: noise exposure, age-related hearing loss, earwax buildup, certain medications, and underlying health conditions can all contribute. While tinnitus has no universal cure, modern audiology offers several effective management strategies.

Lenire is one of the most innovative tinnitus treatments currently available. FDA-authorized and clinically studied, Lenire uses gentle tongue stimulation combined with audio input to help the brain reduce its perception of tinnitus over time. Not every audiologist is an authorized Lenire provider — working with one who is ensures access to this advanced option if it’s appropriate for your situation.

Hearing Aids Have Changed Dramatically

If your last experience with hearing aids was years ago — or if you’re imagining the bulky, whistling devices your grandparents wore — today’s technology is in a different category entirely.

Modern digital hearing aids are small, discreet, and sophisticated. Many connect directly to smartphones via Bluetooth, allowing wearers to stream phone calls, music, and TV audio directly to their ears. They can automatically adjust to different listening environments — quiet conversations, crowded restaurants, outdoor settings — without any manual adjustment.

Brands like Oticon, Phonak, Starkey, Signia, and Widex each offer distinct technologies and fitting philosophies. An experienced audiologist who works with multiple manufacturers can match you with the right product for your specific hearing profile and lifestyle, rather than steering you toward a single brand.

Medicare and Hearing Care

Many Summit County residents don’t realize that Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing evaluations. If a medical necessity is established, some Medicare Advantage plans also contribute toward hearing aids. An audiologist familiar with Medicare billing can walk you through what’s covered before any out-of-pocket commitment.

Finding the Right Audiologist

Credentials matter when choosing an audiologist. Look for a provider with a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology, state licensure, and a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

For residents of Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Hudson, and the surrounding Summit County area, Hear Again Hearing Center offers comprehensive hearing evaluations, tinnitus management, hearing aid fittings across multiple major brands, and professional earwax removal. The practice is led by Monica Mason, M.A., an audiologist with over 20 years of experience and specialized training in tinnitus treatment — including access to the Lenire system.

If you’ve been putting off a hearing evaluation, there’s no better time to take that step. Early identification of hearing loss leads to better outcomes, and the right audiologist can make the process straightforward and stress-free.