As our loved ones age, specific changes in their health can be anticipated. Hearing loss is one of the most predominant of these health issues. As reported by the National Institutes of Health, around one in three individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 suffer from some level of hearing loss. And for people who are older than 75, almost half of them are having a hard time hearing.
Diligently watching for indications of hearing loss is important if you have an aging relative that you’re taking care of. Their quality of life can be enhanced and managing the symptoms will be more successful with early detection.
What are the indications of hearing loss in seniors?
Below are some significant indicators that your loved one might be experiencing hearing difficulties:
Asking people to repeat what they said
Does your family member often ask you to repeat yourself? They may be having a difficult time hearing if you observe this common indication which will be particularly evident when there is a lot of background noise.
Increasing the volume to uncomfortable levels
They are probably having problems hearing at normal volume levels if they are constantly setting their audio devices to levels that are uncomfortable for others.
Difficulty in conversations with new people
When meeting people for the first time, your family member might have difficulty hearing even when the person is speaking clearly. This can lead to confusion and frustration.
Miscommunication leading to arguments
Individuals with hearing loss often have tense relationships with family and friends because they are accused of “selective hearing” when in reality they simply can’t hear.
Essential sounds are missed
It’s a definite sign of hearing loss if your loved one doesn’t notice crucial sounds like cellphone notifications, the alarm clock, or car alarm.
Trouble with phone conversations
Phone conversations can be particularly difficult for seniors, and if there is background noise it becomes even more challenging.
Avoidance of social settings
If your loved one starts avoiding social contact or withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed, it could be because they feel embarrassed or left out as a result of their hearing problems.
Neglected hearing loss has a big impact
Hearing loss is not just a matter of diminished physical health, it also has far-reaching effects on emotional well-being and social connection. Depression, isolation, and mental decline are also negative consequences of disregarded hearing loss. It’s important to identify the indications early and seek treatment to help your family member preserve their quality of life.
The role of hearing aids
Hearing aids can often successfully regulate hearing loss, particularly age-related hearing loss. Seniors will be better able to continue to take part in their normal day-to-day activities by using one of these devices. The health and quality of life for an older individual depend heavily upon remaining socially active with family and friends.
Memory issues, cognitive decline, and an increased danger of dementia have all been related to neglected hearing loss by research performed by Johns Hopkins University. Regular use of hearing aids is an essential step in taking care of an older relative because hearing aids have been shown to counter or even reverse many of these cognitive risks.
What’s your role?
You can help a loved one going through hearing loss in a variety of ways. The first thing you should do is to motivate them to get a hearing test from a hearing specialist. With your help, your loved one can explore various treatment possibilities, and that includes hearing aids.
Being proactive about their own hearing health is also an important thing for your loved one to do. They must be honest about their hearing difficulties and dedicated to wearing hearing aids as recommended. Hearing aids are a crucial part of the management of your loved one’s hearing health and are well worth the substantial investment they present.
You can help your family member get back to their active lifestyle by helping them and encouraging them to address their hearing loss as soon as possible. Connecting with friends and loved ones and enjoying social interactions is essential to their mental and emotional health, and this will allow them to do just that. Your loved one will be able to keep living a fulfilling life with the correct hearing care and your support.
Contact us to make an appointment for your family member to get their hearing evaluated.
