Everyone knows the stereotype of the elderly man who keeps saying “WHAT?” every time someone tries to speak to him. Hearing loss is common in the elderly, but unfortunately it is not just a stereotype. While this joke is usually an exaggeration, hearing loss can be very serious, and can be very stressful for the person suffering from it.
If you are responsible for the elderly care of an aging parent or loved one, you might have noticed that they have a difficult time hearing you occasionally. However, it might be more effective to ask them if they personally experience any of the following symptoms, and ask them to report them to you if they do.
Symptoms of hearing loss
Must turn television up to extremely high volume – Many television channels are quieter by design (with really loud commercials), but if your loved one has to turn the television up extremely loud in order to follow what it happening on the screen, it might be a sign that they need to get their hearing checked.
Difficulty distinguishing one voice among many – Many people with hearing loss report having a difficult time understanding what people are saying if more than none person is speaking at once in the same vicinity. This gets worse when there is a large crowd, as this makes it difficult to make out anything anyone is saying. It is hard to tune into the one person who is speaking to you when the sound of the murmuring crowd sounds like a roar in your ears.
Requires repetition, or answers incorrectly – If your loved one often needs you to repeat what you are saying two or three extra times, this is either a sign that you aren’t speaking clearly, or that they are having trouble distinguishing the words in your phrases. On this same topic, if you often ask your loved one questions and they respond as if you asked them something completely different, this is a sign that they didn’t hear you.
Feeling annoyed or stressed – Being unable to understand what other people are saying is very stressful. Maybe they are saying something important and you are missing it, or maybe they are teasing you because you answered their questions wrong. The constant effort of straining to hear what others are saying can lead to a lot of tension, and this tension can cause your loved one to snap at you or others, even if it isn’t your fault.
Luckily, hearing loss is something that is usually relatively easy to notice, whether you are observing these symptoms in yourself or in others. If you notice that the elderly loved one you care for is straining to hear or answering incorrectly to questions more than just occasionally, hearing loss might be the issue. To figure out what is causing the hearing loss, you can visit a doctor, where you can also receive advice on what treatments might help to make hearing easier.
Sources: http://www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/signs-hearing-loss
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Medfield MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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