UCSF Audiology · Free hearing health guidance
Clear guidance.
A next step for your hearing.
Understand your hearing, explore your options, and find the care that fits your needs.
Free to use Created by UCSF Audiology 12 language home pages
Find your pathway
What brings you here today?
Start with what matters to you. There is no single right way to begin.
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1. Hearing difficulty
Noticing changes in your hearing
Learn when to get checked, what to expect, and how to find appropriate care.
Find care & options -
2. Tinnitus & ringing
Tinnitus, ringing, or buzzing sounds
Understand the sounds, find proven coping strategies, and follow stepped care.
Explore tinnitus care -
3. Sound sensitivity
Everyday sounds feel uncomfortable or painful
Understand hyperacusis, pain-related symptoms, safe protection, and individualized support.
Read sound sensitivity guide -
4. Test results
I have hearing test results to understand
Translate your audiogram frequencies, decibels, and word-recognition scores into plain English.
Open Results Decoder -
5. Hearing devices
Choosing or using hearing devices
Compare OTC and prescription hearing aids, explore cochlear implants, and get device support.
Explore devices & tech -
6. Everyday communication
Making daily communication easier
Practical strategies for conversations, noisy restaurants, work meetings, and phone calls.
Explore communication tactics -
7. Families & partners
Supporting a family member or friend
Communication planning, conversation tips, and joint appointment preparation for partners and families.
Family & supporter resources
60-second video tour
Welcome to UCSF EARS
A quick tour of our free, evidence-based hearing tools, clinical pathways, and educational resources—created by UCSF Audiology.
Interactive Decision Tools
Three helpful places to start.
Quick, practical tools designed to empower your care conversations. These tools are in English.
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Hearing test results
Explain My Hearing Test Results
Enter your audiogram numbers to see what your hearing test reveals in plain English.
Open the tool -
Hearing options
Hearing Technology Pathway Explorer
Compare OTC hearing aids, prescription devices, assistive technology, and implants.
Explore options -
Everyday technology
AirPods Pro and Your Hearing
Learn how Apple's OTC hearing aid feature works, clinical evidence, and setup steps.
Explore the guide
Specialized clinical care
Cancer treatment, medications & your hearing
Learn about ototoxic monitoring before, during, and after medical treatments that can affect your ears, hearing, and balance.
Explore clinical knowledge hubs
Four comprehensive guides to dive deeper into hearing health.
- Understanding hearingLearn how hearing works, test types, and reading audiograms.
- Getting care & coverageFind providers, visit prep, and financial assistance.
- Hearing devices & technologyHearing aids, implants, OTC choices, and daily maintenance.
- Living well & communicationPractical daily strategies, workplace rights, and apps.
Information for more people
Choose your language.
Open a language home page. Available pages vary by language, and translations are expanding over time.
All languages and translation informationSupport UCSF EARS
Help keep multilingual hearing health guidance free and accessible
Your donation supports evidence-based resources from UCSF Audiology, including hearing, tinnitus, and balance tools for patients and families.
UCSF EARS offers educational information. These resources do not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.