Hear! Hear! Coping With Hearing Loss

Older adults often complain that people mumble more than they used to.

It's difficult to hear on the telephone or following conversations in restaurants and other noisy places. On the other hand, you complain that the radio and TV are too loud. You're tired of repeating yourself because your mom didn't hear what you said to her. All of these situations are signs that your older family member may be hard of hearing.

Hearing loss is a common part of the aging process. Hearing declines when tiny cells within the inner ear deteriorate and can no longer carry sound waves to the brain clearly. One out of 4 adults over 65 and 1 out of 3 over 75 experience some loss of hearing. Poor hearing has an enormous effect on an older person's quality of life. Your relative may avoid social gatherings because she misses important parts of conversations. People may think your parent has a memory disorder like Alzheimer's. She seems forgetful simply because she can't remember a conversation she couldn't hear.

DIAGNOSING HEARING LOSS

If you think an older relative does not hear well, encourage her to seek help from a doctor. The doctor will examine your relative's ears to make sure she doesn't have a treatable cause for hearing like an ear infection or wax buildup. If hearing loss is suspected your parent will be referred to an audiologist for a thorough evaluation. Audiologists are professionals who specialize in assessing hearing and determining how it can be improved. They are certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association licensed by the state. Audiologists practice in a variety of settings in doctors' offices, hospitals, hearing aid providers or private practice. Medicare does not cover hearing exams or hearing aids.

IMPROVING HEARING

During the exam the audiologist will evaluate your relative's hearing, fit him with an aid, and teach him how to use and care for it properly. It often takes time to find just the right aid that meets your parent's own hearing needs. Audiologists may offer a trial period so your relative can experiment with different aids to see which one works best for him.

Besides hearing aids a variety of other devices are available to improve hearing:

• Telephone and television amplifiers.
• Assistive listening devices are available at many churches, concert halls and movie theaters.
• Alarm clocks, doorbells, and smoke alarms that use flashing lights instead of sounds.
• Closed caption television.

The audiologist or your local hearing and speech center can make recommendations for other devices and aids.

TIPS FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

Families and friends can help older people with poor hearing to stay active and involved in daily activities.

Some suggestions:

• Encourage your relative to tell people that he has a hearing impairment.
• Face your parent with hearing loss directly when speaking to her. Facial expressions can help her understand what you are saying.
• Speak clearly and distinctly – but don't shout.
• Turn off the TV and radio when talking to your relative.
• Choose quiet restaurants and avoid sitting near the kitchen.
• Touch your parent lightly to get his or her attention.

THE EARS HAVE IT!

Older adults often put off having a hearing test because they associate hearing loss with old age. They may remember the cumbersome hearing aids of the past with bulky battery packs and prominent microphones. If your older relative is reluctant to see a hearing specialist explain that there are a variety of aids and devices that can boost his hearing ability and help him enjoy the sounds as well as the sights of daily life.

RESOURCES ON HEARING LOSS

For more information on hearing disorders contact:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). www.asha.org
• Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH). www.shhh.org
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). www.nidcd.nih.gov