hearing aid behind the ear of a woman, close-up

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How Much Do You Know About Hearing Aids?

Test your knowledge of these common devices with our quiz

Sarah Elizabeth Adler,

AARP

En español

Published March 04, 2022

10 Questions

89a8d2a1-96ca-400e-a6db-3aba5a8375d3

How Much Do You Know About Hearing Aids?

[ {
  "question" : "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light for cheaper, over-the-counter hearing aids. How much does the agency say the change will save consumers per pair?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "$500",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "$900",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "$1,400",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "$2,800",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Traditional hearing aids from an audiologist cost about $1,000 to $6,000 a pair.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "True or false? Over-the-counter hearing aids are intended for people with any level of hearing loss.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "They are targeted for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Most older adults who could benefit from hearing aids have used them.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Fewer than 1 in 3 adults 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Hearing aids work by:",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Amplifying sound as it enters the ear",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Directly stimulating the auditory nerve",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Hearing aids have three main parts: a microphone, an amplifier and a speaker. The microphone receives sound input, the amplifier makes it louder and the speaker transmits this amplified sound to the ear.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Approximately how many U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "7 million",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "29 million",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "54 million",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Hearing aids are effective for all types of hearing loss.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "In people with severe hearing loss, the inner ear may be too damaged to process sound from a hearing aid. Cochlear implants, which bypass the inner ear to send sound input directly to the auditory nerve, may be recommended as an alternative.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "All of the following are hearing aid styles except:",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Behind-the-ear",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Hearables",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "In-the-ear",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Canal",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Hearing aids come in three main styles: behind- the-ear (which have a plastic case that rests behind the ear); in-the-ear (which fit completely in the outer ear); and canal aids (which are smaller and fit entirely in the ear canal). Hearables — wireless earbuds that can amplify sound — are a type of personal sound amplification product, or PSAP, and are not FDA-approved to treat hearing loss.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Hearing aids can offer additional features, including:",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Rechargeable batteries",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Wireless connectivity",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Telecoils",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Features like rechargeable batteries, wireless connectivity and telecoils (which make it easier to hear on the telephone or follow along at public venues with induction loop systems, like movie theaters) can make hearing aids more convenient and functional.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Hearing aids last this long before they need to be replaced:",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "A year or two",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Three to seven years",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "A decade or more",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Hearing aid longevity depends on a few factors (like device style and how well you care for them), but most devices should last between three and seven years.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which is true about hearing aids and insurance?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Hearing aids are not generally covered by insurance",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Hearing aids are typically covered by insurance",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Hearing aids are never covered by insurance",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Hearing aids are not generally covered by insurance, although some insurers may offer a supplemental hearing plan or pay a set amount toward the devices. Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) may do so.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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How Much Do You Know About Hearing Aids?

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Sarah Elizabeth Adler is a writer based in Washington, D.C. She has written about science, art and culture for outlets including aarp.org, where she was previously a staff writer, The Atlantic and California magazine.