Hidden Hearing Loss: Learn the Signs. Take Action.

November 15, 2021
A man is taking a picture of his family at a dinner table.

Do you feel like you hear fine, but you struggle to understand speech when there is a competing of background noise, like at a large family gathering? You could have hidden hearing loss.

A poster that says more than 65.5 million americans have hearing loss and more than 30 million americans have tinnitus

"With a hidden hearing loss, the brain is still able to process simple sounds resulting in the appearance of 'normal hearing,' but more difficult sounds like conversational speech can be harder for the brain to process."
-- Ali Carmichael, Au.D.

“A person’s sense of hearing connects them to the world around them and helps them stay

engaged with the people, places and events in their lives,” said Dr. Megan Johnson,

audiologist and owner of Johnson Audiology. “Yet many people discount their hearing,

ignoring the signs that something is amiss with their inner ear and waiting years to address

it. I see it every day in my practice; people who tell me they have been struggling in different

listening environments for 10 years or more. It disturbs me that people put off seeking

helping because of embarrassment, or fear or misunderstanding, especially now in an era

when help for hearing issues is so advanced and accessible.” Dr. Johnson continued, “Part

of Johnson Audiology’s mission is to bring education about hearing and hearing loss to the

forefront, teach people how important your sense of hearing is and smash the stigma that

some feel in regards to their hearing issues. Hearing loss is widespread; yet treatment is

right around the corner at your nearest audiologist. People don’t have to live with untreated

hearing loss anymore!”


How widespread is hearing loss?

Dr. Ali Carmichael, one of the 12 audiologists that makes up the team of hearing

professionals at Johnson Audiology, said, “More than 20% of the United States population

is affected by various types and degrees of hearing loss. That’s more than 65.5 million

people! Additionally, tinnitus, which is a constant or intermittent ringing, buzzing, or hissing

in the ears, affects more 30 million Americans.” Recent research has come out that states

that up to 13 million Americans without any degree of hearing loss also experience some

form of tinnitus. Through medical conditions, noise exposure, genetic conditions, or the

processes of aging, hearing loss can occur gradually or suddenly at any stage of life. The

inner ear, or cochlea, is composed of thousands of small hair-like fibers responsible for

sending hearing signals to the brain. One of the leading causes of hearing loss in people

under the age of 40 is due to noise exposure, which can cause major damage to the inner

ear leading to hearing loss and tinnitus.


What is hidden hearing loss?

Dr. Johnson said, “For most people with hearing issues, a basic hearing test, also called an

audiogram, reveals, in a very obvious way, the type and severity of a person’s hearing loss.”

Sometimes damage done to the inner ear, either by noise exposure or auto-immune

disorders, is not so transparent though. Dr. Johnson mentioned that in some cases

“damage can create a ‘hidden hearing loss’ where the hearing test shows normal hearing,

but tinnitus or difficulty hearing in a noisy environment is still a concern.” This damage

causes an incomplete signal being sent to the brain, which can lead to a familiar hearing

complaint where a person knows that something is being said but cannot understand the

actual words. The repeated noise exposure causes a breakdown of the hearing system in a

way that is not detectable by a standard hearing test; however, the damage can cause

enough inner hair fibers to be destroyed, which leads to the sensation of tinnitus but with a

lack of detectable hearing loss. Dr. Carmichael said, “With a hidden hearing loss, the brain

is still able to process simple sounds resulting in the appearance of ‘normal hearing,’ but

more difficult sounds like conversational speech can be harder for the brain to process. As a

result, communication often fails.” Long-term exposure to noise, even in small amounts, has

been shown to be one of the leading causes of hidden hearing loss and tinnitus.


Why is hidden hearing loss something to be concerned about?

The frustration a person feels when dealing with hidden hearing loss and tinnitus can lead

to social isolation and a decrease in social interactions. Also, because hidden hearing loss

is more difficult to diagnose, it may be overlooked, a person’s complaints and struggles

minimized, and their frustration grows. A university-trained audiologist is the professional

most equipped and skilled to recognize when a person might be struggling with hidden

hearing loss and to initiate the expanded testing that is necessary for diagnosis. A standard

hearing test with additional noise testing can help to identify the degree of difficulty a person

is having in noisy situations. Speech in noise testing, which includes repeating sentences as

the volume of background noise increases, can be done to help determine the amount of

difficulty someone is experiencing when processing sound with background noise present.

Dr. Johnson urged, “When visiting your audiologist, it is important to relay all symptoms

related to your hearing and balance. This will help your audiologist pick the correct tests and

formulate an appropriate treatment plan.” Important symptoms to relay if hidden hearing

loss may be a concern include:


·often hearing speech incorrectly

·feeling like you are struggling when listening in environments when background noise is

loud but you understand people well in quiet situations

·constant tinnitus, or

·feeling distracted, or even anxious, in difficult listening environments.


Advancements in technology make the difference

Dr. Carmichael said, “Treatment for hidden hearing loss continues to develop, and research

has shown that around 60% of patients with tinnitus say they experience some relief from

their symptoms while wearing hearing aids.” It also has been proven that the improvements

in directional microphones of hearing aids have helped to overcome communication

breakdowns in noisy situations. The advances in noise reduction in hearing aids have

developed to help overcome the volume of noise and help to focus attention towards the

important conversations with loved ones.

Dr. Johnson said, “Over the course of my 19-year

career as an audiologist, I have seen such advancements in technology. It’s these

advancements that have made the detection and treatment of hidden hearing loss possible.

It can be a real game changer for people.”

Knowledge about the structure and workings of the inner ear continues to progress, and a

better understanding of how damage to the inner ear creates different types and degrees of

hearing loss continues to develop. Additionally, hearing technology and treatment for

hearing loss is advancing by leaps and bounds. “At no other time in history have we been

more informed and more equipped to help people with all types of hearing loss,” said Dr.

Carmichael. “Take control of your hearing loss. Take action today.”

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By Jan Hollingsworth April 28, 2026
Experience Widex Allure™ at Johnson Audiology When it comes to better hearing, technology should do more than amplify sound—it should fit seamlessly into your life. At Johnson Audiology, we’re proud to offer Widex Allure, along with a full ecosystem of accessories that elevate your hearing experience even further. A More Natural Hearing Experience Widex Allure is designed to deliver one of the most natural sound experiences available today. With advanced processing and features like PureSound™, it provides clear, distortion-free speech while maintaining the richness of everyday sound. For our patients, that often means less listening fatigue and a more comfortable, realistic hearing experience throughout the day. Hear Better in the Moments That Matter Whether you’re in a busy restaurant or enjoying a quiet conversation at home, Widex Allure adapts to your environment—helping speech stand out while keeping background noise balanced. At Johnson Audiology, we customize these settings to your lifestyle, so your hearing aids perform where you need them most. Take Your Hearing Further with Widex Accessories One of the biggest advantages of choosing Widex Allure is the range of optional accessories that can enhance your hearing in specific situations. These are especially helpful for patients who want even more clarity, convenience, or connectivity. Better Conversations in Noise A portable microphone that brings speech closer and clearer in noisy environments. This small but powerful accessory acts like a personal microphone. It can be placed on a table during group conversations or worn by a conversation partner—streaming their voice directly to your hearing aids. Benefit: Ideal for restaurants, meetings, and family gatherings where background noise can be challenging. Why We Recommend Widex Allure at Johnson Audiology At Johnson Audiology, we believe hearing care should be personalized—not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we offer technology from all major manufacturers and help you choose what works best for your hearing, lifestyle, and goals. Widex Allure stands out because it offers: Exceptionally natural sound quality Improved speech understanding in noise Less listening effort and fatigue A full range of accessories to enhance everyday life Modern connectivity and convenience The Bottom Line Widex Allure is more than a hearing aid—it’s part of a complete hearing ecosystem. With the right combination of devices and accessories, you can hear more clearly in more places, with less effort. If you’re curious whether Widex Allure—and its accessories—are right for you, schedule a consultation with Johnson Audiology. We’ll guide you through your options and help you build a hearing solution that truly fits your life.
Two people in a natural setting observe a blue bird through binoculars, with musical notes illustrating the bird's song.
By Jan Hollingsworth March 31, 2026
When Life Gets Quieter: The First Sounds Hearing Loss Takes High-frequency sounds play a powerful role in how we experience the world—yet they’re often the first to fade when hearing loss begins. These sounds include birdsong, children’s voices, and many women’s voices, all of which carry pitches that sit higher on the hearing spectrum. Because of this, even mild hearing loss can quietly chip away at some of life’s most meaningful and emotionally rich moments. For many people, the first sign of hearing loss isn’t silence—it’s subtle absence. The cheerful chirping of birds in the morning may seem less vibrant or disappear altogether. Conversations with children may start to sound muffled or unclear, especially when they speak quickly or softly. Women’s voices, which often rely more on higher frequencies, can become harder to distinguish, particularly in group settings or noisy environments. These changes can happen gradually, making them easy to overlook or dismiss as background noise or distraction. This type of hearing loss, often associated with aging or prolonged exposure to noise, affects the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that are responsible for detecting high-frequency sounds. Once these cells are damaged, they don’t regenerate—meaning those crisp, detailed sounds become increasingly difficult to hear without intervention. The impact goes beyond missing pleasant sounds; it can affect communication, relationships, and overall quality of life. Misunderstandings in conversation may become more frequent. Social situations can feel frustrating or isolating. And those small, joyful sensory experiences—like hearing a child laugh clearly or enjoying a quiet moment filled with birdsong—can slip away. The good news is that hearing technology today is more advanced than ever. Modern hearing aids are designed to specifically target and amplify high-frequency sounds, helping to restore clarity and bring those missing details back into everyday life. Early detection is key, which is why regular hearing evaluations are so important—especially if you’ve started to notice these subtle changes. Hearing loss doesn’t have to mean losing connection to the sounds that matter most. By recognizing the early signs and taking action, it’s possible to rediscover the richness of sound—including the simple, beautiful notes that make life feel full. Schedule Your Hearing Evaluation Today Don’t let hearing difficulties take life's most enriching sound from. you. A simple hearing test can provide valuable insight into your hearing health and help you get back some of the sounds you have been missing. Visit www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule to make a hearing evaluation appointment and start hearing the birds again.
By Jan Hollingsworth March 12, 2026
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