Hearing Loss and Staying Connected: Expert Advice from HearingLife’s Laine Berg

According to the World Health Organization, over 1.5 billion people globally live with some degree of hearing loss. While hearing health often takes a backseat to vision or general wellness, its impact on connection, cognition, and quality of life is profound. Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to social isolation, memory issues, and an increased risk of dementia.

To help raise awareness, we had the pleasure of speaking with Laine Berg, a Hearing Instrument Specialist with HearingLife, about recognizing the early signs of hearing loss, the importance of treatment, and how to support loved ones experiencing hearing challenges.

HearingLife and Laine Berg

Laine Berg works at HearingLife in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where she and her team help people regain connection through better hearing. Their clinic, which opened in 2023, is one of 13 locations in Colorado offering personalized hearing care and access to modern hearing instruments. “I really feel like I give people a piece of their life back,” Laine shared. 

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Watch as she shares real-world advice, practical tips for families, and the emotional impact of reconnecting through better hearing care.

Recognizing the Signs of Hearing Loss Early

Early signs of hearing loss are often subtle. According to Laine, some of the most common red flags include turning the volume up too high on the TV, struggling to follow phone conversations, and experiencing ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus.

Common Hearing Loss Symptoms to Watch For

These symptoms often start gradually. Many people find themselves missing pieces of conversations or struggling to follow along in noisy environments.

Some people may start avoiding social situations without realizing it's because of difficulty hearing. Others might nod along without fully understanding what's being said, especially in group settings.

“You find that a lot of people in group conversations just end up sitting out. Nodding along or deciding to not even go and do their clubs that they used to be a part of or family.”

Hearing Loss or Something Else? Knowing the Difference

Many people confuse age-related hearing loss with temporary issues like allergies or wax buildup. That’s why specialists ask targeted questions to help rule out reversible causes.

Temporary Hearing Issues vs. Long-Term Loss

Recent changes in elevation, seasonal allergies, or earwax buildup can all cause temporary hearing issues. If there is pain, pressure, or discharge from the ear, it might not be permanent hearing loss, but it's still worth checking.

“But that's also why it's important to do annual hearing screening so we can monitor and catch red flags or signs that something more concerning or that there's hearing loss developing.”

When should you get a hearing loss test?

Routine hearing checks are just as important as vision or dental exams. Laine advised not to wait for a crisis, as earlier screenings are always encouraged, especially if loved ones begin noticing signs of hearing difficulty. Hearing health should be treated as part of regular self-care.

“The slogan is to test your ears at 60 years, but even before that, if there's any indicators of family members mentioning signs of loss or you're having difficulty with conversation.”

Being proactive with screenings can help catch gradual changes early and avoid bigger challenges down the road.

How to Prevent Hearing Loss at Any Age

There are a number of habits and lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk of developing hearing loss. Prevention is especially important for those who are regularly exposed to noise or managing chronic conditions.

Habits That Help Prevent Hearing Loss

According to Laine, volume control is key. Keep music and TV at a reasonable level, use ear protection when you're in loud environments, and take steps to manage health conditions that can contribute to hearing damage over time.

“The best thing, of course, is to listen to things at a moderate noise level, but when we are in those loud situations make sure you’re wearing ear hearing protection, but also things like managing your stress level, diabetes, and things like that also lead to more hearing loss.”

Good hearing is often a reflection of good overall health, and that means addressing more than just noise exposure.

How to Talk to a Loved One About Hearing Loss

If you're concerned that a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, bringing it up can be challenging. It's not uncommon for people to resist the idea due to stigma or denial.

Overcoming Stigma and Resistance

Laine shared that resistance often comes from personal beliefs, fear of aging, or negative assumptions about hearing aids. While hearing aids today are sleek and powerful, older generations still remember them as large and cumbersome.

“The biggest thing is understanding why that person is opposed, right? So everybody has their reasoning. Is it vanity? I'm too young to need hearing aids; they also have a stigma, right? They used to be big and clunky and squeaky.”

A Supportive Approach

Rather than jumping to solutions, Laine recommends encouraging a first screening with a supportive tone. You could even offer to go along with them, or suggest both of you get checked together.

“Instead of 'you need hearing aids', let's go in and find out where we're at”; “I'll get a screening as well”; Let's go in and find out the options before we throw all the devices at 'em.”

The Impact of Hearing Loss on Isolation

Hearing loss isn’t just a medical condition; it can deeply affect emotional and social well-being. According to The Treetop, “Hearing loss significantly influences the quality of life of individuals affected by it, resulting in emotional distress (70%), social isolation (65%), difficulty in obtaining education (60%), and difficulty in employment (50%).” One of the most significant risks is isolation.

Why Untreated Hearing Loss Affects Social Life

When people can’t follow conversations easily, they may start to withdraw from social settings. Laine explains that group activities, clubs, or even family time can become overwhelming, especially when children or grandchildren speak quickly or excitedly.

“It just ends up making it so people are no longer engaged and just step out of those things. And we all know social isolation leads to dementia and so many things.”

This disconnection can lead to loneliness, depression, and a decline in cognitive health, making early intervention even more important.

How Hearing Aids Can Reconnect People Immediately

When someone finally takes the step to get fitted for hearing aids, the change can be both emotional and life-changing.

What to Expect from the First Appointment

At HearingLife, the process begins with a comprehensive hearing exam followed by an in-office demo where patients can try hearing aids in real-world scenarios. Family members are often encouraged to be present so patients can test hearing familiar voices.

“Part of their initial assessment, we do the hearing exam, and then we talk about where their loss is at and try on devices immediately. And we do some scenarios in office playing background noise.”

Many patients experience noticeable improvements right away. Whether it’s hearing in a noisy restaurant, understanding a sermon at church, or chatting with grandchildren, the effects are often immediate.

Tips for Communicating With Someone Who Has Hearing Loss

Whether a loved one uses hearing aids or not, minor adjustments in how you communicate can make a big difference.

Be Patient and Intentional

Make sure you have their attention before speaking by using their name. Don’t speak from across the room or with background noise. And if someone doesn’t understand you the first time, rephrase what you said rather than repeating it verbatim.

“The main thing is getting their attention. So saying their name at the beginning of the conversation to make sure you have their focus. Don't talk across the room or when there is a lot of background noise, be mindful.”

How Hearing Loss Affects Brain Health

Untreated hearing loss has a significant impact on brain function. According to Audiology, untreated hearing loss increases the risk for dementia. Adults with hearing loss have a faster rate of cognitive decline than adults with normal hearing. Hearing loss demands extra cognitive (thinking-related) resources, which limits the cognitive resources that are available for memory and thinking.

What Happens in the Brain

When you lose the ability to hear certain frequencies, the brain stops processing those sounds, and the auditory pathways can begin to weaken.

“It's one of those things. Unfortunately, if you're not using it, you lose it. So those pathways in your brain that are stimulated, hearing things. Once you start developing a hearing loss, those pathways start to die off.”

Hearing Loss and Dementia

Even a mild degree of hearing loss has been shown to double the risk of developing dementia. The combination of social isolation and constant mental strain to interpret sound takes a toll on cognitive health.

“A mild hearing loss doubles your risk of dementia specifically for that. It's brain strain as well, which also has a lot of supporting research out there.”

Resources and Support for Hearing Loss and Isolation

There are several resources for those experiencing hearing loss, especially those feeling isolated. Laine recommends checking out organizations like the Hearing Loss Association of America and Deaf Community Counseling Services. Tools like CaptionCall and CapTel offer free captioned phones to help people follow conversations more easily.

Don’t Wait: Why Early Intervention Makes All the Difference

Getting tested early, having honest conversations, and being proactive can make all the difference in someone's day-to-day life. From enjoying music again to connecting with grandchildren, hearing care restores more than just sound, it restores confidence and joy.

At Caily, we understand how important it is to stay connected. Whether you’re tracking hearing appointments, organizing resources, or sharing updates across family members, Caily helps make hearing care more manageable for everyone involved. Because no one should feel left out of the conversation.

FAQs About Hearing Loss

What causes hearing loss?

Hearing loss can result from a variety of causes, including aging, prolonged exposure to loud noise, genetics, certain infections, and chronic medical conditions such as diabetes.

How to prevent hearing loss?

To prevent hearing loss, it's important to use hearing protection in noisy environments, keep volume levels at a moderate range when listening to music or watching TV, and manage your overall health through regular checkups.

Can hearing loss be reversed?

Some types of temporary hearing loss, such as those caused by wax buildup or ear infections, can be reversed with treatment. However, most permanent types of hearing loss require long-term support such as hearing aids. Temporary hearing loss from infections or wax buildup can be treated. However, most permanent types of hearing loss require long-term solutions like hearing aids.