A past commercial featured a man asking, “Can you hear me now?” Although this phrase is often repeated in jest, Seniors seldom find hearing loss funny; it’s important to protect your hearing. Hearing loss is suffered by twenty five percent of adults between 64 and 75 years of age with numbers increasing each year. Occupational noise, heredity, diseases, and the aging process are primary causes of hearing loss.
Do those of us who are Seniors admit having hearing difficulties? According to Hearing Industries Association thirty-eight million Americans ignore their symptoms of hearing loss.
Signs of hearing loss are:
- Difficulty hearing with background noise
- Trouble understanding women’s and children’s voices
- Struggles hearing doorbells, alarm clocks and alerts
- Speech sounds seem muffled
- Turning the TV or radio louder than others
- Asking people to repeat, saying ‘huh’ or ‘what’ often
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
Challenges of hearing loss :
- Increased chance of developing dementia
- Social isolation and depression
- Mental Fatigue
- Balance problems
- Reduced self-esteem
Protect Your Hearing :
The following are suggestions used by Seniors:
- Choosing to sit with backs to a wall, muffling background noise.
- When in noisy conditions such as sporting venues or restaurants turn hearing aids to “crowd” if possible. If not wearing hearing aids, wear earplugs.
- Asking others to maintain eye contact and slow their speech.
- Requesting others to speak louder.
- Investing in technology to help hear televisions and radios without turning up the volume, such as a wireless TV headset.
When suspecting hearing loss a hearing test needs to be scheduled with a professional. Audiologists are skilled doctors who focus on hearing problems. If hearing aids are recommended, start wearing them a few hours and increasing the time each day, as brains need to be retrained to a new “environment.”
Should there be any pain or discomfort, do not hesitate to follow up with the provider. Adjustments may be made until the wearer is comfortable. New technology has developed hearing aids that automatically adjust to background noise.
Bridge to Better Living listens to each client and hears their messages. We care about Seniors… socially, medically, physically, and financially. Expert Transition Consultants are in place to assist in what could be a stressful and worrisome transition. Bridge to Better Living cares about you. Contact them today!