Hearing loss can be much more than inconvenient, especially for a senior citizen. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders you have a one in three chance of diminished hearing if you are between 65 and 74 and nearly a 50 percent chance if you are 75 and older. This post is part of our discussion of hearing loss among the elderly.
How can you detect hearing loss?
We have discussed some of the consequences of hearing loss: its link to dementia, its role in increasing the risk of falls, and its tendency to induce chronic stress and all the ills that come along with it.
Clearly, it makes sense for a senior citizen—or really anyone who suspects they may have a hearing problem—to get tested and wear a hearing aid if it will help.
But hearing problems, like so many problems, often come on gradually. How can you tell if you have a problem, or if a loved one has a problem?
Here are a few warning signs:
- Do you often have to ask people to repeat themselves, or does your loved one often ask you to repeat yourself?
- Do you have trouble hearing people in a crowd?
- Do you have to raise your voice to be heard by a loved one?
- Does your loved one watch television with the sound at high volume?
- Does a loved one not notice that you are talking to them whenever you’re out of view?
- Do you notice a loved one avoiding conversations or becoming socially isolated?
If you see any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it is most likely time for a hearing test. The test is often free.
After all, life is a lot more fun when you can hear what’s going on.
Information for this post comes from Andy Houck, owner and administrator of Stay at Home of Loudon.