Early Signs of Hearing Loss: What Seniors Should Watch For
A post by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says that 22% of seniors 65-74 years old and 55% of those 75 and older have disabling hearing loss. Despite hearing loss being common, many seniors don't get help for it early enough.
Recognizing its signs can help you get the necessary treatment to live an active and engaging lifestyle. It also allows you to maintain independence longer when residing in senior living in Woodbury.
Let's cover the early signs of hearing loss and the steps you can take if you notice them.
Difficulty Following Conversations
Do you often find yourself asking people to repeat what they just said to you? Besides, do some words sound muffled when you're having a conversation with other seniors? Do you struggle to keep up with a conversation in noisy areas?
Well, these are key early signs of hearing loss. At first, you may ignore them because you can still capture most parts of a conversation, but failing to get immediate help will cause the issue to worsen.
Ringing or Buzzing in the Ears
When you have senior auditory health issues, you will likely experience tinnitus. The condition presents as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears. The sound may come and go and worsen when you're in a quiet area, affecting both or only one of your ears.
While tinnitus may seem mild at first, it can interfere with sleep and reduce concentration. The condition may also affect your ability to react to the environment and even cause anxiety.
Turning Up the Volume on Your Devices
If you constantly increase the volume of your phone or TV, your ears may be struggling to pick up sound. Your loved ones or other seniors in your Woodbury senior living community can complain your device is too loud. Hearing loss may also cause you to have trouble following dialogue when the background music or sound effects are on.
Once you notice such signs, observe if others around you also have the same issues. If they hear just fine while you don't, it may be time to get early hearing screenings.
Avoiding Social Interactions
Hearing loss may make conversations frustrating, causing you to avoid social interactions. You may find yourself doing the following:
- Skipping phone calls
- Avoiding family gatherings
- Feeling embarrassed about asking people to repeat themselves
Unfortunately, avoiding others because you have hearing loss can lead to loneliness. It also increases the risk of depression and memory problems.
Steps to Take After Noticing the Early Signs of Hearing Loss
After noticing hearing loss symptoms, take the following steps:
- Track your experiences
- Talk to your family and friends
- Book a hearing test
Monitoring your hearing experiences can help you explain your symptoms to a doctor. Write down your main symptoms and go into detail.
Note if you have trouble following conversations or also frequently experience tinnitus. You should also highlight the sounds or voices that you struggle to hear.
Talking to other seniors in an independent living community in Woodbury can confirm your symptoms. They may have noticed signs you didn't and will help you provide your doctor with more details.
Getting a hearing screening is the best way to determine whether you have hearing loss. An audiologist will test different sounds and pitches to see how well your ears are working. The testing process is quick and painless, and it will allow you to get appropriate treatment.
Interventions for Hearing Impairment
If your test shows you have hearing loss, you can explore various interventions and simplify your life. These include:
- Hearing aids
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical treatment
Hearing aids amplify sounds, making it easy to hear things clearly. While they won't restore your natural hearing ability, they are a cost-effective solution to hearing impairment. Modern designs are small and barely noticeable, and they even come with features like:
- Noise reduction
- Bluetooth
- Volume control
If you're not ready for a hearing aid, you can explore assistive listening devices (ALDs). These tools separate speech from background noise, improving your listening experience. Common examples of ALDs include:
- Hearing loops
- Personal amplifiers
- Amplified phones
Sometimes, hearing loss results from treatable conditions like infections and fluid accumulation in your ear. It might also be due to earwax buildup blocking sound waves. If your hearing loss is due to such issues, your doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment.
How to Enjoy a Safe Active Life With Hearing Loss
Hearing loss may affect your cognitive function and social life. However, there are various strategies you can use to ensure your safety and live an active life.
Practice Communication Strategies
Hearing loss makes it harder to hold conversations, but you can communicate better using these strategies:
- Face people when they're talking
- Avoid areas with background noise
- Take notes whenever necessary
Looking directly at someone when they talk makes it easier to understand them. You can see their lip movements and facial expressions, which may help you catch some words. Further, you'll be able to focus on the conversation instead of background noise.
Turning off TVs, radios, or fans during conversations may help you deal with hearing loss. It's also ideal to choose quieter areas for meals or group discussions.
If you can't avoid noisy areas, stand closer to whoever you're talking to and try to concentrate. You may also use speech-to-text apps to turn spoken words into written messages.
Explore Supportive Living Options
If hearing loss is affecting daily life, consider assisted living in Woodbury. A community with such a program will have supportive staff to help you communicate and handle daily activities. It will also include quiet areas where you can chat with other seniors and avoid social isolation.
Improve Your Life By Detecting Hearing Decline Early
Living with hearing impairment can impact your life, but it doesn't have to. Detect the early signs of hearing loss by observing your interactions with others and your environment.
Take hearing tests and explore your intervention options with an expert's help. It's also a good idea to reside in a supportive senior living community.
Woodbury Mews offers boutique-style living for seniors in New Jersey. Our empathetic and skilled staff is available 24/7 and can offer preventative health screenings. Contact us for a community tour.