How the #1 Best-Selling OTC Hearing Aid Brand Is Improving Quality of Life for Older Adults: An Interview with Dr. Trinker of Audien Hearing

Audien is the #1 best-selling over-the-counter hearing aid brand in the United States, having served nearly 2 million customers, more than any other OTC hearing aid company.

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent yet undertreated conditions among older adults, and its impact extends far beyond sound. In skilled nursing and rehabilitation settings, untreated hearing loss can affect communication with care teams, slow recovery, and deepen feelings of isolation. We spoke with Dr. Trinker, Head of Audiology at Audien Hearing, about why hearing support is a critical and often overlooked component of whole-person care for seniors, and how accessible hearing solutions are improving quality of life for older adults in care settings like Nightingale Nursing & Rehab.

Q: How significant is hearing loss among older adults in skilled nursing and rehabilitation settings?

Dr. Trinker: The numbers are striking. Nearly two-thirds of adults over 70 experience some degree of hearing loss, and that percentage climbs significantly among residents in skilled nursing facilities. Yet it remains one of the most undertreated conditions in elder care. Part of the challenge is that hearing loss develops gradually, residents and families often adapt around it rather than address it directly. In a rehabilitation setting like Nightingale Nursing & Rehab, where communication between patients, nurses, therapists, and physicians is constant and critical, untreated hearing loss creates real barriers to care quality and recovery outcomes. Hearing support isn’t a luxury for older adults, it’s a fundamental part of comprehensive, dignified care.

Q: What does research tell us about the connection between hearing loss and cognitive health in seniors?

Dr. Trinker: The research is increasingly compelling. Studies have linked untreated hearing loss in older adults to accelerated cognitive decline, increased risk of dementia, and higher rates of depression and social isolation. When residents in skilled nursing care struggle to hear conversations, announcements, or instructions from their care team, the brain works harder to compensate, drawing cognitive resources away from memory and processing. Addressing hearing clarity isn’t just about quality of life in an emotional sense; it’s a clinical priority. Residents who can hear clearly are more engaged in therapy, more responsive to care instructions, and more connected to the people around them, all of which support better rehabilitation outcomes.

Q: How does Audien Hearing make hearing support more accessible for older adults and their families?

Dr. Trinker: Accessibility is at the core of everything we do. As the #1 best-selling OTC hearing aid brand in the United States, we’ve made it possible for older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss and their families to access premium hearing aids for seniors without doctor visits, insurance hurdles, or the $3,000–$6,000 price tags traditional hearing aids carry. Our affordable hearing aids start under $100, are audiologist-designed, and FDA-registered. Families caring for a loved one in a skilled nursing setting often have enormous financial and logistical burdens — we remove hearing support as one more barrier. Simple, rechargeable, and ready to use out of the box, our devices are designed specifically with older adults in mind.

Q: How does untreated hearing loss affect a senior’s emotional well-being and social connection in a care environment?

Dr. Trinker: Profoundly. In a skilled nursing or rehab setting, social connection is deeply tied to recovery and resilience. Residents who can’t follow group conversations during meals, activities, or therapy sessions begin to withdraw. They may seem confused, unresponsive, or disengaged, when in reality, they simply can’t hear what’s happening around them. That isolation compounds quickly into depression and anxiety. When hearing clarity is restored, we see an emotional transformation, residents re-engage with staff, participate in group activities, and reconnect with visiting family members. Facilities like Nightingale Nursing & Rehab are built around whole-person care and dignity, and hearing support is a natural, important extension of that mission.

Q: What would you say to families considering hearing aids for a loved one currently in skilled nursing or rehabilitation care?

Dr. Trinker: Don’t wait. The sooner hearing support is introduced, the faster the benefits compound, better communication with the care team, stronger engagement in therapy, and improved emotional well-being. Audien Hearing offers a 45-day risk-free trial, free support from hearing specialists, and lifetime customer care, so there’s truly no barrier to trying. Families tell us all the time that they wish they hadn’t waited so long. Hearing your loved one’s voice clearly, being heard by the nurse down the hall, laughing at a joke during a group activity, these moments matter enormously in a care setting. Affordable, accessible hearing aids for seniors with mild to moderate hearing loss shouldn’t be an afterthought. They’re part of giving people the quality of life they deserve.

About Audien Hearing: Audien is the #1 best-selling over-the-counter hearing aid brand in the United States, committed to making premium hearing care accessible and affordable for everyone. Learn more at audienhearing.com.