Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is common in the elderly. It is thought that up to a third of the elderly population have hearing loss. It often comes on slowly, so many older individuals may not even realize that their hearing capabilities have been diminished until a loved one or 24-hour home care provider points it out to them.
What Causes Hearing Loss
There are four main causes of hearing loss: Exposure to loud noises, aging, genetics, and disease. Age-related changes in the middle ear can affect how the brain hears the sounds entering. Diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, along with some medications, can also cause hearing loss.
If your loved one had an occupation that subjected him to long-term high noise levels, the damage from that role may also cause him to lose his hearing as he ages.
Common Hearing Loss Symptoms in the Elderly
For many seniors, the change in their hearing comes slowly, sometimes making it difficult to notice. They may slowly increase the volume on their television or switch to closed captioning. They might find themselves withdrawing from events that make it hard for them to hear the conversations around them.
Here are five key symptoms of hearing loss:
- Women’s and children’s voices become harder to understand. Your loved one may have more difficulty understanding what his grandchildren are saying to him and then ask an adult nearby to repeat whatever request they may have. Men’s voices are usually the easiest for someone with hearing loss to understand.
- High-pitched sounds may become impossible to hear.
- Background noise becomes more distracting, making it harder for your loved one to hear the nearby voice speaking directly to him.
- You might find you have to lean in and practically shout in his ear for him to hear what you need to say in a crowded, noisy room. Or you might notice he doesn’t react properly to things you say because he isn’t hearing them correctly.
- Trouble using the telephone. Even with the volume turned up as much as possible, your loved one may struggle to hear a conversation on his cell phone or landline.
- May accuse others of mumbling. While those speaking may be perfectly clear, your loved one might only be hearing the voices slurred together, making it difficult to understand what is spoken about.
24-Hour Home Care Providers Can Help with Hearing Loss Concerns
Even with professional care, your loved one’s hearing loss may not be able to be restored to full capacity. This can cause concern over his inability to hear certain “warning” sounds like weather sirens, smoke alarms, or oven timers. A team of 24-hour home care providers can help ensure your loved one stays safe while still in his home. A 24-hour home care provider will always be in his home to be his ears if he needs it when or in an emergency arises.
His 24-hour home care team can also help him with adjusting to his hearing loss so he can still participate in activities he enjoys, whether it’s watching his favorite sports on TV or having friends over for a rousing game of cards. Losing his hearing doesn’t mean he has to withdraw from a world he loves; he just needs to develop new ways to navigate it safely.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring 24-Hour Home Care in Vacaville, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
Sources
- Navigating the First Week: A Post-Hospital Care Checklist for Seniors - September 10, 2024
- Exploring the Unique Challenges of Aging in Place - September 4, 2024
- Making Meals Less Stressful for Seniors with Alzheimer’s - August 27, 2024
