What is Cookie Bite Hearing Loss?

Q: What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind the Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery. Looking for more information on rechargeable hearing aids? Read our dedicated page on the topic here

Q: Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

Q: What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One m anufacturer has no channels at all.

Q: Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty coverage for £80 per year per aid. Find out more about this service we provide here

Q: How much does the hearing test cost?

All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what hearing healthcare services we offer all our customers here

Q: Do home visits cost extra?

Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services, even in a care home environment, for no extra cost. Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information about our home visits here

Q: How come you're much cheaper than other places?

Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world. Explore our prices, brands, and models here

What is Cookie Bite Hearing Loss?

The causes, risks, symptoms and treatments

Overview | What is it? | Getting diagnosed | What can help? | Conclusion

The less-common hearing loss

Hearing loss comes in many shapes and forms, and one of the lesser-known types is cookie bite hearing loss. It might sound like a quirky name for a medical condition, but it refers to a very real, and often quite frustrating, hearing issue that affects thousands across the UK.

So, what exactly is cookie bite hearing loss, and how does it impact daily life? Let’s take a look to see if this might sound familiar.

What is it?

Cookie bite hearing loss (also known as U-shaped hearing loss) is a type of sensorineural hearing loss that affects the mid-range frequencies, roughly the pitch range of human speech. If you imagine plotting your hearing levels on a graph, called an audiogram, it would dip in the middle – hence the term cookie bite, as if someone has taken a chomp out of the curve.

It’s often genetic and can be progressive, meaning it tends to worsen over time. Many people don’t realise they have it until their 20s, 30s, or even later, since it can develop gradually. Unlike high-frequency hearing loss, cookie bite hearing loss affects the ability to hear voices clearly, particularly when there’s background noise.

Related reading: Sensorineural hearing loss

What is it like?

To understand how cookie bite hearing loss affects people day to day, here are a few examples:

At work: In meetings, hearing loss can turn simple discussions into a guessing game. While deeper or higher-pitched voices might come through clearly, mid-range voices often fade away, making it easy to miss key points. You may find yourself nodding along or asking people to repeat themselves, which gets tiring over time.

At events: Social settings like pubs or restaurants are no easier. Background noise, clinking glasses and mixes of different chatter make it difficult to follow conversations. You might catch parts of a story but miss the important bits, especially when someone speaks in that tricky mid-range.

At home: Even at home, chatting with kids can be tough. Their voices often fall right in the range you find most challenging, and if they mumble or speak quickly, it’s even harder to follow. You’re not ignoring them, it’s just genuinely difficult to hear them clearly, which can lead to frustration on both sides.

Getting diagnosed with cookie bite hearing loss

Because cookie bite hearing loss isn’t as obvious as other types, many people go undiagnosed for years. They might simply think others are mumbling or that their hearing is not quite what it used to be.

A professional hearing test – conducted by an audiologist – is the only way to confirm cookie bite hearing loss. The audiogram will clearly show that U-shaped curve, which helps highlight the issue. It's worth doing, even if you’re just slightly suspicious – early detection can really improve your quality of life.

What can help?

The go-to treatment for cookie bite hearing loss is often hearing aids, specifically tuned to amplify those mid-range frequencies without over-boosting the highs and lows. Modern hearing aids are remarkably discreet and clever.

Many now include smart technology that adjusts in real-time depending on your environment. Some even connect to your phone or TV, making life that little bit easier.

It's also important to let those around you know what's going on. Whether it's asking to sit at the quieter end of the pub or requesting subtitles for a film night, small changes can make a big difference.

Related reading: Hearing aid prices

Looking at hearing aids for cookie bite hearing loss?

Living with cookie bite hearing loss can be frustrating, especially when it feels like the world is speaking in a tone you just can’t quite grasp.

But you're not alone – and more importantly, help is available.

Recognising the symptoms and getting a proper diagnosis is the first step. From there, it's about finding the right solutions and making adjustments that support you.

Whether that's high-tech hearing aids or simply asking friends to speak a little clearly.

Common FAQs about hearing aids and hearing loss

Is this the best hearing aid model for me?

If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you?

In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case.

Audiologist level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you.
Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need?
Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it.

If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. In the meantime, read all about our review of the best hearing aids for 2025 here

Do I need one hearing aid or two?