Hearing aids for teens

One in five teens experience some level of hearing loss, yet some go undiagnosed, untreated, or avoid seeking help because of a perceived stigma. That’s beginning to shift.

A new wave of tech-forward hearing devices and a generation that values individuality and inclusion, are changing how young people feel about hearing health.

Here's what to know about hearing loss and hearing aids for teens, as well as encouraging research on adolescents who wear hearing aids:

 Does my teen have hearing loss? What to look for

Signs of hearing loss in teens can be subtle, so audiologist Rachel Raphael, AuD, encourages parents to notice whether their children wear earbuds while listening to music at high volume (85dB or louder). 

“In addition, children and teens who report a ringing or buzzing in their ears, should have an audiologic evaluation since this is often the first warning sign of inner-ear damage,” said Raphael, of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. “If noise-induced hearing loss is diagnosed early, habits can often be corrected early before hearing loss becomes permanent.”

Dr. Raphael says common symptoms of hearing loss in teens include:

• Muffled hearing
• Saying “what?” or “huh?” often
• Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds
• Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus
• Confusion between similar consonants (s/f, p/t, sh/th)
• Difficulty hearing on the phone or in noisy places

Since teens don’t receive routine hearing screenings, Dr. Raphael says evaluations are only recommended when symptoms or risk factors arise, such as chronic ear infections, head injuries, tinnitus, or extended noise exposure.

Where to get help

If you suspect your child or teen has hearing loss, make an appointment with their pediatrician or an ENT (ear-nose-throat specialist). They will likely conduct an ear exam, medical evaluation, and a hearing test. Fortunately, hearing care for kids is often covered by insurance or government programs, although it varies state to state. 

You can also check out our hearing directory to find a provider near you. Note that not all hearing specialists provide pediatric care, so make sure to inquire before scheduling an appointment. 

Hearing aids for teens

Younger teens often start with pediatric hearing aids, which typically need to be updated every 1-2 years as their ears grow. Older teens can transition to adult hearing aids, which last 3-7 years with proper care.

Audiology staff can provide guidance to teens on daily care—how to clean the devices, keep them dry, change batteries, protect them from earwax, and schedule regular check-ups to ensure optimal performance.

Today’s hearing aids offer built-in volume limits to keep sounds at a safe level. In addition, Bluetooth connectivity, streaming from smartphones, app-based controls, and discreet styles that resemble mainstream earbuds, make hearing devices a more attractive option for teens.

Newer hearing aids are also built for teens’ active lifestyles. They stay secure during sports, and some can withstand sweat, humidity, and water.

“Part of our job as audiologists is to ensure teens can participate in their chosen activities,” says Ryan McCreery, Ph.D,  vice president of research and director of audiology at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, NE. “Sometimes it takes a little creativity, but we encourage all teens to stay active to benefit both their health and social development.”

Research is changing how we see teen hearing loss

Until recently, most research has centered on infants and younger children who wear hearing aids. Teens, by comparison, were often overlooked. But new studies are revealing that many teens view hearing aids positively and are becoming strong advocates for their own needs.

McCreery has watched teens’ attitudes toward hearing devices change. In 2008, he helped launch a research consortium to track more than 300 children with mild to severe hearing loss. Known as the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss study, the project is a collaboration between Boys Town, the University of Iowa and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“We’ve been following this group for 17 years and are studying how their needs shift as they enter high school and college,” McCreery says. “Research on teens with hearing loss has been scarce, and before our studies, the prevailing view among audiologists was that teens were reluctant to wear devices.”

Teens consistently wear hearing aids, but may need help with adjustments

The team thought teens would use their hearing aids less as they got older. Earlier findings showed that children who wore their hearing aids regularly had better language, reading, and academic outcomes, so the researchers were concerned that using them less as teens could cause problems.

Fortunately, the opposite happened. McCreery notes that his colleague, Elizabeth Walker, PhD., from the University of Iowa, published a paper earlier this year that shows teens are wearing their hearing devices consistently, typically for eight to ten hours a day.

This is good news.

The not-as-good news? The team noticed many teens had hearing aids that weren't amplifying enough, so they missed important speech sounds. 

For this reason, parents should make sure teens visit their hearing care provider at regular intervals, McCreery noted. 

A shift in stigma: 'These kids are thriving'

Older studies suggested that teens with hearing aids were more likely to be bullied, but McCreery says his team’s findings tell a more uplifting story.

“We didn’t find teens with hearing loss were bullied more often than kids with normal hearing,” he says. “These kids are thriving and when you see them at school or playing sports, you don’t even realize they have hearing loss because they’re doing everything their peers do.”

As research continues to evolve, it’s clear that today’s teens are embracing hearing technology and shaping a future where hearing loss carries far less stigma.

Important facts about teens and hearing loss

Data drawn from a large US survey of American teens revealed several key facts:

• Hearing loss in one ear is common.
• So is high-frequency hearing loss.
• Males from lower income families are at higher risk. 
• Teens often underestimate the effects of loud music or noise, especially when using headphones.
• Hearing loss is associated with lower test scores, lower self-esteem and overall school difficulties.