I first noticed my hearing loss in high school — on phone calls, in group conversations, across the dinner table. I leaned in, read lips, and got good at laughing along even when I didn’t quite catch the joke. I told myself it wasn’t a big deal. I had hacks that got me by.

But hearing loss has a way of chipping away at connection and confidence — even when you think you’re managing just fine. For me, getting help wasn’t just a matter of money or technology. It’s about identity. It took 15 years, a pandemic, and a few gentle nudges from people I trust to finally take the leap.

“Hearing loss has a way of chipping away at connection and confidence — even when you think you’re managing just fine.”

If you’re supporting someone on the path to better hearing, this guide is for you. I’ll share what helped me — and what I’ve seen work for many others through my work at Soundly.

1. Start with understanding and support, not urgency

It’s tempting to jump straight to solutions, especially when you see someone you love missing conversations or pulling back socially. But hearing loss is a sensitive topic, and support has to start with empathy.

“Support has to start with empathy.”

It wasn’t hard to admit I wasn’t hearing well — that part was pretty obvious. The harder part was figuring out what came next. What would wearing hearing aids signal to others? How would I talk about it? Was there a way to explore this without feeling instantly pressured?

What made the difference was the quiet support around me. People in my life repeated things without frustration. They positioned themselves so I could read their lips. They made small adjustments that signaled — without saying it outright — that this part of my life was already out in the open. That I didn’t need to hide it, and I didn’t have to figure it out alone.

“What made the difference was the quiet support around me.”

For me, like so many others, there was a specific moment when treatment started to feel real. In my case, it was when everyone started wearing masks — and my ability to lip-read disappeared overnight. For others, it’s a missed joke at a family gathering or a miscommunication at work. Regardless of the moment, that’s often the turning point. And it’s also the moment when support can take a new shape — not just empathy, but encouragement to take the next step.

The goal isn’t to convince someone they have a problem. It’s to remind them they’re not alone — and that when they’re ready, you’ll be right there to help figure out what comes next.

2. Try a low-stakes online hearing test

For many people (myself included), the idea of going to a clinic feels like a big step. I didn’t know how bad my hearing loss really was, and part of me was afraid to find out and be pressured to take action on the spot. That’s where online hearing tests can be helpful — they offer a no-pressure way to get a baseline.

“I didn’t know how bad my hearing loss really was, and part of me was afraid to find out.”

Free online hearing tests take about 5–10 minutes and can be done at home with a pair of headphones. They’re not a replacement for a clinical evaluation, but they give a directional sense of hearing loss and can help spark more informed conversations about next steps.

Offering to take the test together or just being there to talk through the results can go a long way in easing the tension around that first step.

3. Explore supportive tools (that aren’t hearing aids)

Even after seeing hearing test results, many people aren’t ready to jump straight into treatment — and that’s completely normal. Sometimes it’s because they need help understanding what the results mean. In these cases, we often hear from folks who want to talk with our team at Soundly just to make sense of their chart and explore their options in plain terms.

Others ask: “Are there any in-between steps I can try first?” The answer is yes — and in some cases, those steps can be powerful.

  • Auditory training has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to meaningfully improve speech understanding, even for those who don’t use hearing aids. Programs like LACE, delivered through a smartphone app, have proven effective for both hearing aid users and non-users by helping retrain the brain to better process sound in challenging environments.
  • Modern hearing aid styles can also ease the transition. For example, Nuance Audio Glasses hide hearing aids inside a stylish pair of eyeglasses. AirPods Pro 2 include a built-in “hearing aid mode” through Apple’s accessibility settings — not a full-time solution, but a great way to experiment.
  • Assistive technology can address specific pain points. If phone calls are the biggest challenge, a captioned phone system like CaptionCall (available as both a landline and app) can help.
  • Communication strategies also go a long way. Small shifts like facing the person when speaking, minimizing background noise, and repeating key points can make a big difference. For a deeper dive, I recommend “Hear & Beyond” by Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan — a fantastic resource for navigating life with hearing loss.

These tools might not be the final answer, but they offer meaningful progress — and just as importantly, they send a message: You’re not in this alone.

4. Talk through the hearing aid landscape

When I finally started researching hearing aids, I was overwhelmed. There were $99 devices and $8,000 ones — and no clear explanation for the difference. Some were sold in clinics, others online or over the counter. Everyone claimed to be the best. It felt like walking into a conversation that had already started — and I was playing catch-up.

“It felt like walking into a conversation that had already started — and I was playing catch-up.”

What I wish I’d known: There are two main paths to hearing help, and each serves a different type of need.

  • In-clinic care – A licensed audiologist runs a full diagnostic test, fits hearing aids, and offers in-person follow-up support. This path is best for more complex or severe hearing loss — and it’s usually the most expensive.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) – These self-fit devices are available online or in stores, often with app-based controls. OTC hearing aids are best suited for mild to moderate hearing loss and for people comfortable with a DIY setup.

Both paths have pros and cons. The “right” choice depends on your loved one’s hearing needs, lifestyle, and comfort with technology.

You don’t need to be the expert — just helping simplify the landscape and offering to explore options together can make a big difference. The Beginner’s Guide we put together at Soundly breaks down these care models and more.

5. Normalize the trial-and-error process

One thing that made hearing aids feel less intimidating to me was learning that I could try them and return them if they didn’t work out. Most devices come with a 45-100 day return window — something I didn’t realize early on.

“One thing that made hearing aids feel less intimidating to me was learning that I could try them and return them if they didn’t work out.”

That return policy gave me the confidence to experiment. And like most people, it took time to adjust. Hearing aids aren’t like glasses. They don’t snap things into focus immediately. But with a little patience and support, they started making my daily life easier — less strain, more connection.

If your loved one is nervous about making the “wrong” choice, remind them: “This isn’t permanent. You can try something and see how it feels — we’ll figure it out together.”

Hearing loss can be frustrating, lonely, and slow to recognize, especially for the person going through it. But small, consistent support from someone close can be the difference between staying stuck and stepping forward.

“Small, consistent support from someone close can be the difference between staying stuck and stepping forward.”

You don’t have to push. You don’t have to solve it all. Just walk with them. Share tools, offer encouragement, and celebrate progress — even if it’s just taking an online test or reading a product review.

In the end, hearing better isn’t just about hearing. It’s about participating in life more fully. And that’s something we all deserve.

Blake Cadwell is the CEO of Soundly, an online marketplace that streamlines the process of searching for and comparing hearing aids through shopping tools, access to professionals, and online hearing tests.