Seniors struggling with hearing loss don’t always recognize the severity of their symptoms. Most forms of age-related hearing loss come on gradually, and seniors’ family members are often the first ones to notice the detrimental effects. This article will focus on how adult children of aging parents can help their family members find ways to cope with hearing loss and regain a higher quality of life.
Understanding Treatments for Hearing Loss
The most important thing to understand about hearing loss is that while most forms aren’t reversible, there are treatments available. Today’s assistive listening devices are both comfortable and effective, and they come in a variety of forms to meet different needs.
Learning about the different types of hearing aids available can give family members a positive way to approach the issue of hearing loss in loved ones, but don’t expect seniors to agree to seek treatment immediately. Unfortunately, many older Americans are hesitant to believe that they have hearing loss, to begin with, and even those that know there is a problem are often treatment-resistant.
The Importance of Patience
Seniors who seek treatment for hearing loss do so an average of ten years after the problem begins. This can create frustrating situations for family members. Remember, though, that while having the support of an adult child can help an aging parent find a qualified audiologist and explore treatment options, trying to force the issue won’t help.
Remember that no matter how frustrating it is to deal with seniors who have hearing loss, the situation is much more frustrating for them. Even if the person refuses to seek help immediately, it’s important to continue including them in conversations and showing understanding. Hearing loss can be very isolating, and in seniors can lead to depression, negativity, irritability, and anger, all of which can act as additional barriers to treatment.
Finding the Right Doctor
Doctors that diagnose and treat hearing loss are known as audiologists. These experts perform audiological testing to determine the type and extent of a person’s hearing loss. The easiest way to find an audiologist is to ask the senior’s primary care doctor for a recommendation. However, there are also specialized clinics with doctors that provide both audiological testing and assistive devices for the management of hearing loss.
No matter where a senior chooses to go for help, they may benefit from bringing a family member along. The adult children of aging parents can provide more than social support in these situations, too. People with hearing loss may have difficulty communicating effectively with doctors and understanding what options are available. Having someone attend the appointment with them may make navigating the admittedly complex process of getting tested and choosing the right assistive listening device easier.
Communication Tips
Whether seniors are treatment-resistant or it’s simply taking some time to find a doctor and decide on a solution, family members can continue to offer support and make them feel included by following these communication tips:
- Minimize background noise.
Enunciate clearly.
Use facial expressions and other non-verbal cues.
Speak at a normal speed.
Avoid yelling, which distorts words.
Try rephrasing sentences.
Help Is Available
Hearing loss can place a serious burden on seniors and can also affect their caregivers. Family members can help by looking into treatment options, assisting with appointments, and providing ongoing support in the form of patient listening and continued communication until the person can find a solution that works for them.
