During a conversation, have you realized your loved ones are zoning out or appear to not be listening to the discussion? Well, it’s not that they do not care about the conversation, but instead are unaware that the conversation is taking place. Unfortunately, hearing loss is one of the most common medical conditions suffered by aging adults and can hinder their everyday lives. Whether it’s due to background noise or that the conversations are exchanged too quickly, loved ones with hearing loss aren’t able to catch up, and this may cause them to feel increasingly isolated and even frustrated. As such, in this article, we’ll be looking into the ways on how to handle hearing loss in aging adults.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Aging Adults
Loved ones with hearing loss will find it challenging to listen to sounds clearly. Sounds become muffled and will gradually fade over time. Some loved ones may also find their ear or both of the ears to be in pain and even hear ringing sounds, which are scientifically called tinnitus. Dizziness is another symptom that can be a huge cause of concern. However, regardless of what symptoms your loved ones experience, the biggest setback of being diagnosed with hearing loss is its effect on their social lives. Not being able to listen to conversations and other sounds can cause your loved ones to withdraw themselves from other people and not participate in socialization. Some loved ones may even feel embarrassed to constantly ask their friends or family members to repeat their words. As such, it’s extremely important we treat loved ones with kindness and patience, and to provide help along the way.
Ways to Handle Hearing Loss in Aging Adults
Being diagnosed with hearing loss is a journey that involves both aging adults and their loved ones. Here are some ways an aging adult can handle their loss of hearing physically and emotionally.
- Acknowledge the Negative Feelings
The very first step is to acknowledge any feelings of frustration and sadness and to understand that these feelings are completely normal. If your loved ones are feeling shocked about being diagnosed with hearing loss, be sure to be by their side and validate their feelings at all times. This stage is where your loved ones are particularly vulnerable and need proper communication in order to accept their diagnosis.
- Learn How to Live with Hearing Loss
While hearing loss is a hindrance and can cause many inconveniences, it is still possible to go about your day despite not having the ability to listen well. Some ways your loved ones can improve their hearing include sitting in a well-lit and quiet area in a restaurant, making use of technological tools to aid hearing, and exercising regularly. Medical intervention is also a great way to improve hearing loss, though many of them may feel embarrassed or find no meaningful purpose to do so. If this is the case for your loved ones, do take the effort to explain to them that medical help is, by far, the best and most effective way to treat this condition.
