Is Your Loved One Experiencing Hearing Problems?
Elderly Care Tamarac FL
Hearing loss is a sudden or gradual decrease in how well a person can hear. It is one of the most common conditions affecting older and elderly adults, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. So common is the problem, that the Institute says approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.
Having trouble hearing is not just embarrassing or troublesome in dealing with family or friends. It can also be dangerous if a person can’t properly understand doctor’s orders, hear doorbells or alarms, hear emergency vehicles when driving, or respond to other warnings. But how do you know if the person for whom you’re a family caregiver is suffering from a hearing loss—especially if it’s gradual?
Hearing loss increases with age, but because it can’t be seen it is usually detected in behavioral changes. Perhaps your elderly loved one is asking you or someone else to repeat themselves more frequently, or they’re complaining that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly. Is the TV or radio volume louder than usual? These are definitely strong indicators that something might be changing with their hearing.
Some other signs of possible hearing loss include:
They are having trouble hearing while on the phone.
They are having trouble following a conversation where two or more people may be talking at the same time.
They are struggling to hear a conversation.
They are having trouble hearing in places where there is a lot of background noise, such as a restaurant or other public places.
They are complaining about having pain or ringing in their ears; or they’re experiencing dizziness.
They are misunderstanding what people are saying or answering in a way not related to a question or comment.
They are having difficulty understanding when women or children talk.
Their personality is changing in that they normally are very social, but now doesn’t want to spend time socially or around groups of people.
Because behaviors change when hearing loss is present, it is sometimes mistaken for dementia. If left untreated hearing loss can lead not only to total deafness, but damage in parts of the brain related to hearing. When the nerves in the brain don’t get signal related to hearing, they stop working; much like muscles that atrophy if they’re not used.
If you notice changes in your elderly loved one’s behavior or suspect they’re having trouble hearing, they should be seen by their doctor. Their physician can rule out any other possible causes and, if necessary, give you a referral to a hearing specialist.
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20432
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Tamarac FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
