Approaching Your Elderly Loved One Regarding Their Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a gradual or sudden decrease in how well one can hear. Many studies have shown that 25% of adults age 65 and over suffer from some sort of hearing problem increasing up to 75% of those over the age of 75. Unfortunately, many of the elderly will not see their doctor or an audiologist. The following article details what signs to look for and how to approach your elderly loved one who you believe is suffering from hearing loss.

Signs Of What To Look For In Your Elderly Loved One Regarding Their Hearing Loss

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• They have worked or are still working in a loud environment such as a machine shop or factory
• They complain of constant buzzing, hissing, or ringing in their ear
• They are having difficulty understanding what friends and family are saying to them
• Their radio or television is turned up to a higher than normal volume

How To Approach Them

While many of the elderly appear stubborn and difficult when they are approached by their gradual hearing loss, it is mainly due to them having a feeling of a loss of independence. You and your elderly loved one needs to find a quiet place to sit down and explain in clear and direct sentences that many people at their age suffer from some sort of hearing loss and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. In many cases, once the elderly person does go to see their doctor and it is discovered that they have hearing damage or loss (also known as Presbycusis), it may well be treatable with the help of a hearing aid.

Here Are Four Simple Steps To Follow To Help Them:

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1. Never make assumptions of their limitations. Just because they are suffering from hearing loss, it does not mean that their entire body is also impaired. No one wants to be treated that way. Simply and calmly tell them what things you will do in a step by step manner.
2. Give them your respect and patience – they do not want to feel helpless just because of their hearing impairment. Everyone prefers care above pity. By showing pity, it will make them feel that their life is now pathetic because of a hearing impairment.
3. Give them their privacy that they want and need. They are their own person, and they do not need to be talked to or treated like a child. Show them some respect by allowing them to have their own alone time.
4. Remember that they have a right to their choices. Simply ask them how you can help them out more often. They will appreciate you even more for doing that to them.

Always remember that untreated or undiagnosed hearing loss may sometimes lead to social isolation and even depression. Explain to your elderly loved one that they are not alone and you will be there for them every step of the way.