Late night host Stephen Colbert has been deaf in his right ear since childhood; Whoopie Goldberg says years of listening to loud music damaged her hearing in both ears. They're just two of the millions of Americans with disabling hearing loss — about 2% of adults ages 45-54 and 50% of folks age 75 and older. 

Unfortunately, only about 16% of people ages 20-69 and 30% of folks age 70 and older who need hearing aids use them.

There are long-term health repercussions from uncorrected hearing loss. For instance, mild hearing loss doubles your risk for dementia. And when it's severe, you're five times more likely to develop cognition problems.

In addition, mild hearing loss triples your risk for falls because sound is used to orient you in your environment.

To help people who need hearing aids have easier access to less-expensive options, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the over-the-counter sale of air conduction hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. These devices are worn inside or on the ear, with an inside the ear component, and have a user-adjustable volume control.

To find the right device for you, go to the website of the National Council on Aging, at www.ncoa.org, for their recommendations. You can also visit www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids.

I also recommend that you see an expert for a hearing test and consultation. These people are, or soon will be, available at the big box stores.

Get a return guarantee, then give yourself a couple of weeks to get used to the devices and test drive them in various environments and noise levels.