Addressing Elderly Deafness, pt. 2

Hearing aids today come in sizes that are virtually undetectable. They work by making sounds louder – although they sometimes will also increase the sound of background noises (such as crowds of people, or motor vehicle traffic).

Always consult your insurance carrier before buying a hearing aid – your policy may cover some or all of the expense. In many cases, an audiologist will not only make the recommendation but will allow the senior to try the hearing aid out before buying it.

Assistive/adaptive devices are those products that help people learn to live with hearing loss. This may include a telephone amplifying system, a telephone with enlarged keypad, a TV listening system and/or visual prompts for dialogue, and alerts such as doorbells, smoke detectors and alarm clocks that use a vibration or flashing light to signal the elder. Many public places – theaters, museums, houses of worship – offer assistive devices for those with hearing problems.

A personal listening system is composed of a directional microphone connected to earphones to help you hear a specific set of sounds while eliminating or lowering other noises. Some are designed for crowded rooms while others are intended for one-to-one conversation.

Signs of hearing loss include:

  • Trouble hearing during phone conversations
  • Problems in following conversations in person
  • A need to turn up the TV volume
  • An inability to hear because of background noise
  • A feeling that others are mumbling

Don’t wait until your hearing prevents you from enjoying life.   Homecare staff can often bring relief to the social isolation of deafness.  Oftentimes, with just a bit of home help, there are things you can do to reduce or eliminate the problem.

JD Miller

About JD Miller

John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. Phone: (781) 378-2164 Email: [email protected] Website: https://homecarepartnersma.com
SHARE IT:

Comments are closed.