How Caregivers Help Seniors Who are Dealing with Hearing Loss
One of the main physical ailments senior deal with is hearing loss. A recent survey showed that 72 percent of seniors with identified hearing loss were not doing anything to address the problem. Even when informed of the potential complications of further hearing loss, the numbers did not improve. The most common reasons senior provided for not seeking corrective action include cost, inconvenience, fear of discomfort, and embarrassment.
Because so many seniors avoid discussing hearing loss (and many more do not even know they have it), the number of elderly Americans who may be suffering from hearing related disorders are estimated to be far greater than reported. A caregiver …show more content…
In a recent National Caregivers Survey by Songbird Hearing, Inc., 86 percent of caregivers maintained that hearing loss directly impacted a senior's ability to receive quality medical care. Further, hearing loss is often linked to anxiety, depression and dementia. Caregivers are the lifeline needed to ensure proper care is received.
Seniors often resist change, and dealing with loss – even hearing loss – is hard. The result is a situation where your loved one may try to cope with the issues themselves instead of seeking help. A caregiver can work with them to have their hearing tested. From getting them to appointments and follow up sessions and discussing the different options for care, the caregiver can ensure your loved one is hearing the doctor properly and that the physicians have all of the pertinent daily-life data needed to make proper suggestions.
A few of the suggestions the doctor may recommend include hearing aids, listening systems, and amplifying devices. Hearing aids come in many different sizes and styles. Many are so tiny they cannot even be seen. Listening systems have microphones and earphones that are specially designed to tune out non-essential noises. The directional microphone helps the senior hear what they want to hear while tuning out other sounds. Listening systems can be tied into the television, radio and telephone as
One of the main physical ailments senior deal with is hearing loss. A recent survey showed that 72 percent of seniors with identified hearing loss were not doing anything to address the problem. Even when informed of the potential complications of further hearing loss, the numbers did not improve. The most common reasons senior provided for not seeking corrective action include cost, inconvenience, fear of discomfort, and embarrassment.
Because so many seniors avoid discussing hearing loss (and many more do not even know they have it), the number of elderly Americans who may be suffering from hearing related disorders are estimated to be far greater than reported. A caregiver …show more content…
In a recent National Caregivers Survey by Songbird Hearing, Inc., 86 percent of caregivers maintained that hearing loss directly impacted a senior's ability to receive quality medical care. Further, hearing loss is often linked to anxiety, depression and dementia. Caregivers are the lifeline needed to ensure proper care is received.
Seniors often resist change, and dealing with loss – even hearing loss – is hard. The result is a situation where your loved one may try to cope with the issues themselves instead of seeking help. A caregiver can work with them to have their hearing tested. From getting them to appointments and follow up sessions and discussing the different options for care, the caregiver can ensure your loved one is hearing the doctor properly and that the physicians have all of the pertinent daily-life data needed to make proper suggestions.
A few of the suggestions the doctor may recommend include hearing aids, listening systems, and amplifying devices. Hearing aids come in many different sizes and styles. Many are so tiny they cannot even be seen. Listening systems have microphones and earphones that are specially designed to tune out non-essential noises. The directional microphone helps the senior hear what they want to hear while tuning out other sounds. Listening systems can be tied into the television, radio and telephone as