Hearing Health
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on February 17, 2019
Hearing Health
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), nearly 1/4 of seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 and 1/2 of those who are 75 years or older have a disabling hearing loss. To help you further understand the prevalence of hearing loss, medical research reveals that a hearing loss is the third most prevalent health condition in older adults, only after arthritis and heart disease.
Although communicating is often more difficult for those who suffer from hearing loss, some simple techniques can better equip you in communicating with these individuals. These individuals, in turn, can maximize their hearing and listening performance.
7 Simple Techniques in Communicating with Those Who Have a Hearing Loss
- Noise, noise, and more noise. Try to eliminate as much background noise as possible. Turn off the television and radio when conversing. If you go out to a restaurant to eat or attend any number of social gatherings, congregate away from noisy, crowded areas.
- One speaker should do it. Encourage one person to speak at a time. Try not to talk over anyone or interrupt them. Include the person with the hearing loss as much as possible in the conversation.
- Focus. Look at the person and talk clearly and at a comfortable speed. Always let the person see your mouth and face as you speak so they can use visual clues as well.
- It’s all about your voice. Don’t shout, but speak a little more loudly than usual. Enunciate your words to be helpful. If the person is still having trouble listening, try lowering your voice as lower tones are generally easier to hear than high pitched sounds.
- Repetition is key. Check periodically to see if the person has been following and understanding the conversation. Readily ask if they want you to repeat anything or if they understand what so and so was saying, etc.
- Repetition helps. Be aware if there is a misunderstanding and rephrase what was said. Use shorter sentences and easier words.
- Empathy. Be patient and put yourself in their shoes. Remember that they want to be involved in the communication process. Then do your best to do just that!
The Range of Hearing Loss and Causes of Loss
Hearing loss ranges from a mild loss (where a person might not be able to hear a few high-pitched sounds) to a total loss of hearing. The causes vary as well, from a hereditary condition to the result of a disease, trauma, certain medication, or long-term exposure to loud noises.
If you suspect your loved one is having trouble hearing, it is recommended that they see a doctor for a hearing test to determine the level of impairment and to rule out any other medical problems that may have caused the hearing loss. Cerumen or wax in the ear canal and ear infections are common treatable symptoms that typically cause hearing loss.
Assistive Devices
If the hearing is impacted in a way that the individual needs assistance in hearing to lead a better quality of life, an audiologist has the skills and knowledge to
help the senior with understanding various appropriate hearing aids and in learning about differing amplification systems. In today’s market, there are many assistive devices to make communication more effective. These range in price; some are covered by insurance. It pays to check out hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, mobile phone amplifying devices, infra-red systems, signal alerting devices, personal listening systems, and even surgery for a cochlear implant.
Maintaining the Sense of Hearing
In addition, the following suggestions can help to maintain our hearing.
- Loud sounds. Avoid loud sounds for extended periods of time. It is recommended to listen to music at a reduced volume (60% of the maximum volume) and for a limited time/day (about 60 minutes total).
- Wax Buildup. During your annual checkup, a nurse practitioner or doctor can look into your ear with an otoscope. They can clear out any wax that has accumulated. Likewise, you can also use a washcloth or tissue to clean the ear. Don’t use sharp pointed objects or Q-tips which can cause damage to the eardrum or the ear canal.
- Additional office consults. Schedule a doctor visit if you notice symptoms of burning, itching, redness, discharge, or itching of the ear. Don’t wait for your annual checkup.
- Reducing pressure while flying. When traveling by plane, chew gum to ease the pressure that often builds up during takeoff and landing.
Healthy hearing is important for a good quality of life. As without it, someone may tend to feel more frustrated, isolated, or even depressed. Additionally, these individuals are less apt to want to engage in social activities and they are often excluded from them. Less social interaction can then lead to a more rapid cognitive decline, an increased risk of falling (e.g., a result of balance issues stemming from inner ear problems), and even dementia.
The hearing is an important sense that needs our attention. As hearing loss is a primary health problem, especially for seniors, we need to be cognizant of 1) the ways in which we can communicate better with those who do have a hearing loss, 2) the importance of an annual checkup with a doctor and the role assistive devices play, and 3) how to avoid hearing loss in general.
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