Unfortunately, hearing loss is a common problem among the elderly. Whether this hearing loss is caused by continued exposure to loud noises over the course of their life, by a medication they are taking, or simply by the deterioration of the body as we age, it is something that can be very distressing.
If you are not able to understand what the people around you are saying, you will undoubtedly feel left out and lonely. Other people might even laugh at you if you respond incorrectly to their questions because you couldn’t understand what they asked you. Neither of these things is good for one’s emotional health, so it is important that others do as much as they can to assist someone who feels this way.
If you or your home care aide have noticed that your aging loved one seems to be feeling down and frustrated about their hearing loss, here are a few things that you can do to make it easier for them to hear:
- Keep the background noise to a minimum – For people suffering from hearing loss, it can be difficult to distinguish individual sounds such as someone’s words when the other sounds going on around them are too loud. If you are going to speak to your loved one, turn down the television, turn off the washing machine, turn off the shower, etc., so that the only thing they have to try to hear is your voice.
- Resist the urge to speak loudly – When someone can’t hear you, your first instinct is to speak louder. However, speaking louder can distort your words, and this can make it even harder for your loved one to hear you. So, instead of speaking more loudly, try speaking more clearly and slowly, so that they can follow the words.
- Make sure your mouth is visible when you speak – Seeing someone’s mouth form the words as they speak can be a great help in understanding what those words are. Even if someone can’t hear every word you speak clearly, they can read your lips to pick up on the words that they missed.
- Look into hearing aid options – If your loved one’s hearing problems are severe, they might benefit from the use of a hearing aid or other similar assistive technology. Consult a doctor to see if there are any such options available that would help your loved one to hear better, and the better they hear, the better they will feel.
Hearing loss can be frustrating for everyone involved. It is difficult when your loved one can’t understand what you are saying, but you have you must keep in mind that it is even more difficult for them when they can’t hear everyone else. Using some of these tips can go a long way toward making them feel better and more included in the family.
If you or your home care aide notice that your loved one’s hearing-related symptoms are getting more severe, visit a doctor to see if there is a medical reason behind it, and anything that you can do to help treat it.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Germantown, MD to help with memory loss issues, please contact the caring staff at Trusted Touch Healthcare today. We make seniors’ lives better! Call today (301) 272-5140.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/emotions-hearing-loss#1
