In addition to vision loss, your aging loved one may be experiencing a decrease in their hearing. Hearing loss may cause cognitive decline and a decrease in your aging loved one’s quality of life.
There are different types of hearing loss and each individual person may experience varying degrees of it. Those types include auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, mixed hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and conductive hearing loss.
There are a variety of devices that may help your loved one. Their doctor may prescribe a hearing aid, implanted devices, or personal amplifiers depending on the degree of loss and type of hearing loss.
Losing hearing can be discouraging but just as with vision loss; learning to use other senses can make a difference. Some people may benefit from having their friends and family look at them while they talk so that their senior can read lips.
It’s important for family and friends to be patient with their aging loved one as they cope with life with decreased ability to hear. Often loved ones may feel frustrated at having to repeat themselves or at having to speak with a higher volume, but it’s key to realize that outwardly showing frustration may hurt their aging loved one’s feelings and self-esteem.
A companion caregiver can also help your family think of ways to cope with hearing loss. From experience they may have some tips or suggestions on how to maintain a good quality of life for your aging loved one despite loss of hearing.
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