Senior Living News

Effects of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can affect both physical and mental health in unexpected ways. Some of the potential impacts of hearing impairment in seniors include:

• Greater risk for falls: Even mild hearing impairment can make a person three times more likely to suffer a fall accident, likely due to the fact that an inability to clearly detect sound decreases awareness of your surroundings.
• Potential for cognitive impairment: Hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk for dementia in seniors.
• Difficulty multitasking: Seniors with hearing loss may find it more difficult to complete multiple tasks at times because their brains are already working harder to detect and interpret sounds.
• Social isolation: A systematic review found that people with hearing impairments are at an increased risk for social isolation and accompanying feelings of loneliness.
• Increased risk for auto accidents: Hearing loss can make it difficult to catch warning sounds like horns or sirens while on the road, raising the likelihood of automobile accidents.

How to Adapt to Hearing Loss

The good news about hearing loss is that technological developments and increased awareness make it possible for seniors to adapt to hearing loss and continue to enjoy full, independent lives. Follow these tips to help mitigate some of the negative effects of hearing impairment.

Ask About Assistive Listening Devices

Many churches, cinemas and theaters now offer assistive listening devices to give worshipers and event-goers with hearing impairments a fuller experience. These devices work in different ways, but most don’t involve anything more than slipping on a pair of headphones. Keep in mind that you may need to call ahead to reserve an assistive listening device at your place of worship, a movie theater or another venue.

Give Mobile Apps a Try

Many developers have introduced mobile apps for smartphones and tablets to help people with hearing impairments. Some top ones to try include:

• Live Transcribe: Made by Google, this app captures sound through your phone or tablet’s microphone and then displays the words on the screen.
• AVA: Designed to help people carry on conversations more easily, this app connects devices and displays what each person in a group says on the users’ device screens in real time.
• Rogervoice: Download this app to get transcripts of calls received on your mobile phone. It works in 100 languages, making it great for bilingual seniors.
• Braci Sound Alert: Once set up on your mobile device, this app can notify you when sounds occur in your environment. For example, it can tell you when someone rings your doorbell or your oven timer goes off.

Explore Hearing Aid Options

Hearing aids amplify sound to help you hear more of the world around you. Today, there are more hearing aid options than ever before, including affordable over-the-counter models you can purchase without undergoing a professional fitting. Some hearing aids even sync with your mobile phone via Bluetooth, so you can fine-tune the volume and adjust other settings with ease.

Modify Your Home

As previously mentioned, hearing loss can increase your risk of falls, but undertaking changes to your home can make trip-and-fall accidents less likely to occur. Things like installing grab bars in the shower, removing rugs from high-traffic areas and making repairs to loose flooring can allow you to navigate your home and complete daily living tasks more safely. If you need assistance with small household chores and repairs in the Creve Coeur area, the Senior Minor Home Repair and Chore Program may be able to provide it for free with the help of local volunteers. Or, simply contact the Autumn View Gardens Creve Coeur maintenance department for assistance.

Get Support

As you adjust to hearing loss, you’re likely to experience a wide range of emotions, and talking to other people about your experiences can help you cope. The SayWhatClub offers a peer-to-peer support program that will put you in touch online with other people with hearing loss so you can share ideas, build friendships and discuss your feelings. To join the organization and learn more, visit its official home page.

Talking to a mental health professional can also be beneficial as you adapt to hearing loss. Psychology Today offers a directory of psychologists and therapists to help you choose a provider in the Creve Coeur area.

See an Audiologist

Undergoing a professional hearing test is an important first step when you believe you’re experiencing hearing loss. A licensed audiologist can assess your level of hearing impairment and recommend hearing aids and other assistive devices based on your specific needs. Use the search tool provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to find an audiologist near you and schedule an appointment today.