Do you have an older adult in your life that you support and care for? If it’s an aging parent, you care for, it may feel special to return years of care they have provided you throughout their life. As we age, our bodies start to slow down and there is more and more to keep up health wise. However, with proper attention towards any developing health concerns you can ensure that your loved one will experience the highest quality of life for years to come. This of course includes treatment of hearing loss, a condition which becomes increasingly more likely, as we age.
Age Related Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition that older adults experience. One in three over the age of 65 experience hearing loss and this number rises to half of all of those over the age of 75. This means that it is important to pay close attention to your loved one’s hearing and monitor for any decline.
The Signs of Hearing Loss
It’s a condition which is often difficult to self-diagnose, so it’s important to look for the signs in your loved one. If you experience your loved one having to ask you and other to repeat themselves frequently, this is one of the most common signs. Other signs include the need to turn the TV up louder than is appropriate in order to hear the volume or acting confused or disengaged at social events. It can be difficult to take the step to approach them about their loss. However, encouraging them to attend a hearing exam is only a first step on a road to better connection and the chance to have more engagement in life. Be gentle with them and discuss how their hearing issue affect you. Chances are they already suspect they have an issue with their hearing and they’ll be grateful they encouraged you to go.
Addressing Hearing Loss
Age related hearing loss occurs due to changes in the ear as we age and is irreversible. However, by using hearing aids you can amplify the sounds you struggle with, alleviating some of the many side effects of hearing loss, such as rifts in relationships, issues communicating at work, chronic depression, decreased mobility, cognitive decline and an increased risk of falls and accidents which lead to hospitalization. However, only one third of people with hearing loss are receiving treatment for it. Many of these are older adults who are already at a higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to life changes such as loss of a significant other, retirement, and decreased mobility due to other health complications, common with advanced age.
Benefits of Treatment
For older adults who are in need of medical care or receive care in an assisted living space, it is especially critical to practice effective communication. This means that addressing hearing loss is critical in order to ensure the highest quality of life for those you love. Often hospitals and assisted living facilities tend to be noisy, making it hard to communicate with nurses, doctors and contemporaries. Studies show that patients with hearing loss, struggle to advocate for themselves in a medical setting, meaning that less attention is paid to their needs and they struggle to hear aftercare instructions. Ultimately this can lead to more follow-up appointments and/or hospital readmissions.
Improved Medical Care
Treating hearing loss is found to make a significant difference in receiving treatment and ensuring that health maintenance and after care is upheld. In addition, due to increased ability to communicate, we find that often seniors are more likely to stay social and peruse their interests, which often relieves chronic depression, common in hearing impaired patients. When older adults are less depressed and more engaged in life, we find that they are also more proactive about investing and keeping up with their health.
The First Steps in Treating Hearing Loss
If you suspect that you or someone you love is struggling with hearing loss, then it can feel overwhelming of where to start. This is in part because the medical care system is not always connected to audiologists, such as us in a direct manner for referrals. However, we are here to make it easier for you. All you have to do is contact us to set up an appointment for your loved one. We can walk you through the next steps.