If you are over age 65, get your hearing checked. Many people lose their hearing slowly as they age.

• 1 in 3 Americans between ages 65 and 74 has a hearing problem.
• 1 in 2 Americans over age 75 has a hearing problem.

If you have hearing loss, you aren’t alone.

Hearing problems are serious.
Hearing loss can be frustrating and even dangerous. If you have hearing loss, you may:

• Have trouble hearing doorbells or alarms
• Miss important directions or warnings
• Feel lonely or depressed

Hearing problems can get worse if they aren’t treated. That’s why it’s important to get your hearing checked.

If you find out you have a hearing problem, you can take steps to deal with it before it gets worse.

How do I know if I have hearing loss?

• Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
• Do you hear ringing in your ears?
• Do people say your TV is too loud?
• Do you have trouble hearing over the telephone?
• Do you have trouble hearing when there’s noise in the background?

If you answered YES to some of these questions, you may have hearing loss.

How is hearing loss treated?
There are many products that can help with hearing loss:

• Hearing aids you wear in or behind your ear
• Special phones that make sounds louder
• TVs that also show text (closed captioning)
• Flashing lights to let you know when an alarm or doorbell is ringing

If you think you have hearing loss, start by seeing a doctor. Find out what treatment choices are right for you. Hearing better is worth the effort.