Keeping Your Loved One Connected
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one in three people older than 60 and half of those older than 85 have hearing loss. And while loss of hearing can be considered a normal part of aging, it can isolate your loved one. Hearing problems can make it hard to understand and follow a doctor’s advice, to respond to safety warnings, and to hear doorbells and alarms.
There are many tell-tale signs of hearing loss. Your loved one has a problem hearing on the telephone, is uncharacteristically silent in social situations, or sometimes responds inappropriately in conversation. If untreated, hearing loss can even lead to depression and withdrawal.
There are several types of hearing loss associated with aging. Gradual hearing loss is called presbycusis. Presbycusis loss is most prominent at high frequencies, although a decrease in hearing across all frequencies sometimes occurs. Equally important, presbycusis can make it difficult for a person to distinguish among different speech sounds.
Another form of hearing loss that seniors experience is tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears. It’s often found in those who have worked in noisy environments for extended periods.
Getting the Message ThroughIf your loved one seems to have difficulty hearing, a visit to an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) is in order. Together with an audiologist, they can test your loved one's hearing and determine what sort of treatment would work best. There are many devices that compensate for lost hearing:
- Hearing aids come in a variety of different designs. To find the one that works best, your loved one may have to try more than one. When purchasing a hearing aid, make sure your loved one has the option of returning it during a trial period.
- Personal listening systems—each composed of a directional microphone connected to earphones—help your loved one hear a specific set of sounds while eliminating or lowering other noises. Some personal listening systems are designed for crowded rooms while others are meant for one-on-one conversation.
- TV listening systems can help your loved one concentrate on the television or radio without turning the sound up.
- Telephone amplifying devices work with hearing aids with a “T” switch. When the hearing aid is in the “T” position, the amplifying coil in these special phones is activated, making it easier for someone to conduct a conversation on the phone.
A senior who suffers from hearing loss has to focus hard to talk to family and friends. If your loved one has hearing loss, you can help by taking the following precautions:
- Wait until the person can see your face clearly and watch your expressions before speaking.
- Try to speak as clearly as possible. Don’t shout, don’t exaggerate sounds, and don’t speak more slowly than you normally would.
- Eliminate background noise. Turn off the TV and radio and close windows if it is noisy outside.
- Avoid chewing gum, eating snacks, or covering your mouth when you talk.