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HEARING LOSS PROBLEMS IN SENIORS

My mom was our guest last Sunday.  In the midst of playing cards I started to apprehend how long we have been adaptive to her loss of hearing.

Her hearing problem commenced very early in life. As a mere teenager! In the process we learnt to communicate with her in her ways.

Switching off the radio while she was driving, speaking in her left ear, lessen the volume prior to speaking, and wait for the T.V commercials.

 

The numerous incidents, which resulted from my mother’s hearing loss, are still fresh in my mind. For instance we used to have a good laugh over her running helter-skelter in the house, unable to gauge the direction where the voice was coming from. Mom always smiled with us even in those times.

 

Thankfully my nursing vocation in Geriatrics taught me to commune with people who are hard of hearing.

 

Significantly enough most senior citizens with loss of hearing do not visit an audiologist neither do they give any heed to adaptive hearing devices like hearing aids. Most are in constant self-denial of their hearing loss and therefore reluctant to take help. We should keep in mind that hearing loss is a very slow but sure process, the concerned person himself oblivious to the fact that he is hearing impaired. Most of the time it’s the person who is staying in close proximity with the patient raises the issue. It is hard to know when and at what stage a person goes deaf since most doctors don’t test for loss of hearing as part of a schedule physical check. People affected will not complaint most of the time in self-denial to their hearing loss.

 

Hearing impairment comes with many problems and adverse effects. Here are some simple questions, which will make you aware if you are suffering from hearing loss and its side effects.

 

 Do you have a problem hearing the emergency sirens, honking horns and fire alarms?

 

 Are you suffering from depression due to your incapability to listen to conversations?

 

 Are you keeping too much to your self and suffering from loneliness?

 

 Are you a victim of suspicion, thinking that people are discussing about you since you are just able to catch snatches of conversations.

 

In social gatherings and group activities these symptom becomes all the more pronounced.                                                                                                            You and your family can make hearing easier. Here are few things which will help you to communicate effectively.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 Look at the person within 3 feet.

 

 Take a seat at eye level.

 

 Be sure that you have got their attention.

 

 Eliminate other noises around you- like Radio, T.V.

 

 Announce the subject matter of the conversation.

 

You need not talk slowly. Just speak clearly.

 

 Lip actions should be pronounced while communicating. Do not chew your words

 

 Put your statement in another way if not understood once.

 

 Use body language and hand gestures for drawing attention.

 

 Talk to the better ear if suitable.

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