Supporting Seniors with Hearing Issues: Navigating the Highs and Lows
Hearing loss is a prevalent issue among seniors, affecting their quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in every three persons over the age of 65 has debilitating hearing loss. While this condition can quickly impact communication and social relationships, there are effective approaches to assist seniors in navigating both the emotional and practical aspects of hearing loss. Here are a few things to know about hearing loss and how home care can help.
Understanding the Impact of Hearing Loss
For many seniors, hearing loss is much more than simply losing the ability to hear sound. It also has an impact on their capacity to communicate, enjoy social occasions, and feel connected to their loved ones. One important task for family members and home care when it comes to assisting seniors is to recognize the impact and handle the situation with empathy. Also, it’s important to consider how it may influence their confidence, self-esteem, and sense of independence.
Creating a Supportive Communication Environment
Changing how communication happens is one part of supporting seniors with hearing issues. This doesn’t mean shouting, but rather speaking slowly, clearly, and at a reasonable volume. The truth is that shouting actually makes it harder for those with hearing issues to hear. Also, face-to-face conversations allow seniors to read lips and facial expressions, which can improve comprehension. With these things in mind, it’s important to keep background noise and distractions to a minimum. Also, to promote lip-reading and better listening in group settings, seniors need to be seated in a well-lit area that is closer to the speaker.
Additionally, practicing patience and being okay to repeat things is essential. If seniors are having difficulty understanding, it’s important to reword the sentences rather than simply repeating them, as particular sounds or words may be more difficult to digest.
Promoting the Use of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be quite beneficial for seniors with hearing loss. However, many seniors are hesitant to use them due to stigma, inconvenience, or the belief that they will not be effective. Home care and loved ones can help seniors be more comfortable with wearing hearing aids by providing them with education, ensuring they meet with the audiology team, and offering moral support. Also, assisting with hearing aid maintenance, such as cleaning, battery replacement, and other tasks, might help alleviate their anxiety.
Practice Active Listening
Making seniors feel heard, whether they have hearing loss or not, is critical to their well-being. Active listening includes giving them undivided attention, acknowledging their emotions, and allowing them to express themselves. This demonstrates that they are valued as well as what they say is valued. For seniors who might be less willing to talk due to their hearing issues, ask open-ended questions that encourage them to process their feelings.
Exploring Assistive Technologies
Aside from hearing aids, a range of assistive technology can help seniors hear better. These include amplified telephones, television listening devices, and personal sound amplifiers. Closed captioning on television shows, as well as specialized alarm clocks or doorbells that use flashing lights instead of sound, can also assist seniors and keep them safe.
When dealing with hearing issues, especially if they’re new, seniors need a strong support network who understand their hearing issues. This network can include family, friends, home care, and others who will encourage seniors to express their feelings and try new technologies to help them better handle the highs and lows of hearing loss.
Sources:
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/communicating-with-people-with-hearing-loss
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7295162/
https://www.helpguide.org/wellness/health-conditions/hearing-and-mental-health
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.