Mild but Not Minor: Reconsidering Clinical Practice and Tinnitus-Related Aspects of Mild Hearing Loss

Mild hearing loss, though often overlooked, can substantially affect daily communication and quality of life. Conventional hearing aids remain the mainstay of hearing loss management, yet their high cost has limited their widespread adoption. Recently, alternative amplification devices, such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, have gained attention. Emerging evidence suggests that these devices may provide meaningful benefits to individuals with mild hearing loss and could help expand accessibility. Patients with tinnitus may particularly benefit from amplification, because hearing aids improve tinnitus-related outcomes. However, professionals are not usually involved in the purchase and use of PSAPs and OTC hearing aids. This may lead to suboptimal or even harmful results, especially in tinnitus care, for which counselling and cognitive behavioral therapy are essential components of comprehensive management. Amplification alone should not be considered a sufficient treatment strategy. Ultimately, while PSAPs and OTC hearing aids offer promising and cost-effective options for managing mild hearing loss, their integration into clinical practice requires careful consideration. Clear guidelines and professional consensus are needed to ensure that these devices are used appropriately and effectively, maximizing benefits while minimizing potential risks.