female having her hearing tested by a male doctor female having her hearing tested by a male doctor

How To Protect Your Hearing As You Age

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.

Private In-Home Care Can Help

Hearing loss is really quite common among older adults and often is simply a part of the natural aging process. It can significantly impact their quality of life. Private In-Home care can play an important role in helping older adults stay on top of hearing issues in the following ways.

Regular Communication — Care-Professionals can communicate with older adults regularly to identify any changes in hearing or other issues that may be affecting their ability to hear and understand.

Monitoring Hearing Aids — Our Right at Home Care Professionals can help ensure that the device is functioning properly and is being used correctly. They can also help to clean and maintain the hearing aid to ensure that it is effective.

Assistance with Appointments — Care Professional can assist older adults in making and attending appointments with audiologists or other hearing specialists.

What's A Good Fit For You?

Choosing the right hearing aid can be a complex process that involves multiple factors, including the severity and type of hearing loss, lifestyle and communication needs, and personal preferences. Here are some steps clients can take to determine what hearing aid is a good fit for them.

Consult with an Audiologist — The first step in choosing a hearing aid is to consult with an audiologist.

Consider the Type of Hearing Aid — There are several types of hearing aids available, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and in-the-canal (ITC) devices. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the audiologist can help the client determine which type is the best fit for their hearing loss and lifestyle.

Evaluate Features — Hearing aids come with a range of features, such as noise reduction, directional microphones, and Bluetooth connectivity. The client should consider which features are most important to them based on their communication needs and lifestyle.

Consider Cost — Hearing aids can vary widely in cost, with some models costing several thousand dollars. The client should consider their budget and insurance coverage when choosing a hearing aid.

By providing support and assistance with hearing-related issues, our Right at Home Care Professionals can help older adults stay on top of their hearing health and maintain their independence and quality of life.

Greg Self, Owner of Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City

Greg Self is owner of Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City. Greg'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 Oklahoma City and how we can help. Contact us online or call (405) 605-6064.

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Need help right now? Call us anytime at

(405) 605-6064

Need help right now? Call us anytime at

(405) 605-6064