Hearing loss is common among seniors, and it can be caused by sound exposure, genetics, and other factors. While a large percentage of seniors experience some hearing impairment, many go without treatment. If you believe your senior loved one’s hearing has diminished, help him or her get the medical assistance he or she needs. Here are five common signs of hearing loss you should watch out for.
1. Has Difficulty Hearing High-Pitched Sounds
When aging adults first experience hearing loss, they may quickly lose the ability to parse high-pitched sounds because of the way the ear transmits these vibrations. High-pitched sounds first encounter the inner ear cavity, where cells register the vibrations and transform them into nerve impulses. These nerve impulses are sent to the brain, where they’re recognized as specific sounds. The inner ear cavity is the area of the ear most susceptible to ordinary wear and tear, and it can be damaged by consistent exposure to loud noises. When seniors lose the ability to parse high-pitched sounds, they have a difficult time understanding women and children. If you notice your loved one can understand male voices but not female voices, it’s a sign of early hearing loss.
Caring for a senior loved one with partial or complete hearing loss can be a challenging task. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Anchorage, AK, home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Asks to Repeat Things Often
As seniors start to lose hearing, they’ll likely ask people to repeat themselves. If your loved one is constantly asking, “Can you say that again? I didn’t catch it,” it’s probably due to age-related hearing loss. The conversational back-and-forth will likely get tiresome for everyone involved. Oftentimes, seniors simply give up and allow the conversation to continue without them. If your loved one asks you to repeat yourself again and again, it’s a sign he or she is having difficulty hearing.
3. Increases Volume to Full Blast
As hearing diminishes, seniors often turn up the volume on the TV or stereo to high levels. If the TV sounds painfully loud, it often means the senior controlling the remote control is having hearing difficulties.
4. Leans in When Listening
Seniors with hearing loss often have a difficult time distinguishing background noise from the voices of friends and family members. The inability to distinguish signal from noise is exacerbated in social settings, where seniors often lean in so they can better comprehend the conversation. When you spot your loved one leaning in to conversations that should be audible, it’s time for a medical checkup.
From attending medical appointments to managing household chores, seniors with hearing impairment may need help with an array of tasks. Aging adults who need help around the house, transportation to medical appointments and social events, and assistance with exercise can benefit from having an in-home elderly caregiver. Anchorage seniors can enjoy greater independence and receive regular mental and social stimulation when relying on a trusted professional who is expertly trained in various aspects of senior care.
5. Has Difficulty Hearing on the Telephone
If your loved one grows increasingly frustrated with telephone calls, hearing loss may be the culprit. Understanding phone conversations relies on the ability to parse high-pitched sounds. When seniors experience hearing loss, listening to conversations over landline and mobile phones may become challenging.
Hearing loss is a serious health issue that can impact your loved one’s overall health as well as his or her ability to manage daily tasks independently. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an Anchorage home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. To schedule a free in-home consultation, call one of our professional Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 today.