Does it seem like more people are mumbling these days? Have you found it hard to follow conversations in social settings or restaurants? You may be experiencing hearing loss, and it’s important to get a hearing exam as soon as possible.
Hearing loss can cause a range of problems for older adults, including:
1
Communication difficulties: Hearing loss can make it difficult for older adults to communicate with others, leading to feelings of social isolation and loneliness.
2
Cognitive decline: Research has found a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, including
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
3
Depression and anxiety: Hearing loss can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety, as older adults may struggle to communicate with others and feel left out of social activities.
4
Falls and balance problems: Hearing loss can affect a person’s balance, increasing the risk of falls and other accidents.
5
Reduced quality of life: Hearing loss can impact a person’s overall quality of life, affecting their ability to enjoy social activities, engage with others, and participate in daily life.
6
Safety concerns: Hearing loss can make it difficult for older adults to hear important sounds, such as smoke alarms, car horns, and approaching vehicles, putting their safety at risk.
Overall, hearing loss can have a significant impact on the lives of older adults, affecting their physical health, emotional well-being, and social connectedness.
But there are things you can do to take care of your hearing:
1
Get regular hearing check-ups: Get your hearing checked regularly, even if you don’t have any noticeable problems. Hearing loss can happen very gradually, and you want to get appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
2
Protect your ears from loud noise: Exposure to loud noise can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. Avoid loud noise and use hearing protection, such as earplugs or headphones, in noisy environments.
3
Don’t use cotton swabs to clean your ears: Using cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears can push wax further into the ear canal and potentially damage it. Instead, use a soft cloth to clean the outer ear and let the ear clean itself naturally.
4
Manage any underlying health conditions: Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can increase the risk of hearing loss.
5
Quit smoking: Smoking has been linked to hearing loss.
6
Stay active and engaged: Social isolation and cognitive decline have been linked to hearing loss. Stay active and engaged with social activities and cognitive exercises to help maintain your hearing and overall health.
Age-related hearing loss is not an inevitable part of aging. You don’t need to feel left out when you’re in a social setting or miss beautiful sounds such as your grandchildren’s laughter. Consider regular hearing exams to be as important as regular physical exams.
Sandi Heintz is owner of Right at Home Northwest Houston. Sandi's Right at Home team is proud to provide in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve. Our caregivers provide clients and their loved ones extraordinary, compassionate care each and every day. Learn more about Right at Home Northwest Houston and how we can help. Contact us online or call (832) 924-3160.
