Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Hearing loss is about more than turning up the volume. It can affect which sounds you hear, how clearly you understand speech and even how connected you feel to the people around you.
In this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Cynthia Hogan discusses the signs of hearing loss, when to get your hearing checked and the treatment options available. Learn about hearing aids, cochlear implants and the latest advances in hearing technology that can help people stay connected as they age.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Common signs of hearing loss
• How hearing changes with age
• When to have your hearing tested
• Treatment options for hearing loss
• How hearing aids can help
• When cochlear implants may be considered
• The latest advances in hearing technology
• Why addressing hearing loss matters for healthy aging
For more Aging Forward episodes and resources, visit: mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/aging-forward
00:00 Introduction
01:39 How hearing changes with age
04:22 Hearing loss, balance and fall risk
06:09 Signs of age-related hearing loss
06:58 Tinnitus and ringing in the ears
07:48 When hearing loss is concerning
08:23 Causes of hearing loss
10:50 Health conditions linked to hearing loss
11:17 Lifestyle factors and tinnitus
11:54 How hearing loss affects daily life
13:30 Hearing loss and cognitive load
15:23 When to get your hearing checked
16:15 What happens during a hearing test?
18:01 When do you need a hearing aid?
20:39 Surgery for hearing loss
21:25 How hearing aids work
22:20 Hearing aids and background noise
23:02 Over-the-counter hearing devices
23:59 Can hearing loss be reversed?
25:43 How to protect your hearing
27:13 Can past noise exposure cause hearing loss?
28:11 Hearing loss resources
29:15 How hearing aids can change lives
32:36 The future of hearing loss treatment
33:25 How to age well
34:24 Outro
Hearing loss is about more than turning up the volume. It can affect which sounds you hear, how clearly you understand speech and even how connected you feel to the people around you.
In this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Cynthia Hogan discusses the signs of hearing loss, when to get your hearing checked and the treatment options available. Learn about hearing aids, cochlear implants and the latest advances in hearing technology that can help people stay connected as they age.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Common signs of hearing loss
• How hearing changes with age
• When to have your hearing tested
• Treatment options for hearing loss
• How hearing aids can help
• When cochlear implants may be considered
• The latest advances in hearing technology
• Why addressing hearing loss matters for healthy aging
For more Aging Forward episodes and resources, visit: mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/aging-forward
00:00 Introduction
01:39 How hearing changes with age
04:22 Hearing loss, balance and fall risk
06:09 Signs of age-related hearing loss
06:58 Tinnitus and ringing in the ears
07:48 When hearing loss is concerning
08:23 Causes of hearing loss
10:50 Health conditions linked to hearing loss
11:17 Lifestyle factors and tinnitus
11:54 How hearing loss affects daily life
13:30 Hearing loss and cognitive load
15:23 When to get your hearing checked
16:15 What happens during a hearing test?
18:01 When do you need a hearing aid?
20:39 Surgery for hearing loss
21:25 How hearing aids work
22:20 Hearing aids and background noise
23:02 Over-the-counter hearing devices
23:59 Can hearing loss be reversed?
25:43 How to protect your hearing
27:13 Can past noise exposure cause hearing loss?
28:11 Hearing loss resources
29:15 How hearing aids can change lives
32:36 The future of hearing loss treatment
33:25 How to age well
34:24 Outro
