Caring for a Loved One with Presbycusis

As the average life expectancy continues to climb, more and more American adults are finding themselves in the challenging position of caring for elderly loved ones. Clear communication between the patient and caregiver is very important in this setting. Unfortunately, many older adults suffer from presbycusis, a form of gradual hearing loss associated with aging.

If you or a loved one is having difficulty hearing speech or audio entertainment, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a qualified audiologist. The right hearing aid can make a profound difference in your communication and overall quality of life. To learn more, call HearingPlanet at 1-800-432-7669.

Effective Communication

Even with the use of an effective hearing aid, many hearing impaired individuals have a difficult time understanding typical speech. To help your loved one understand you, keep the following communication tips in mind:

• Make sure you have his or her attention before speaking. A person with hearing loss may appear to be ignoring you, when in fact he or she simply does not realize you are talking to him or her. Use hand gestures or taps on the shoulder to get attention before you speak.
• Be an advocate for your loved one. By law, public spaces are required to be reasonably accessible to people with hearing disabilities. Unfortunately, this issue is often overlooked. When you and your loved one visit a library, theater, place of religious worship, or other public area, ask about assistive technology that could help him or her.
• Request confirmation that your loved one has understood you. Often people with hearing loss are embarrassed by their problems, and may try to hide them by nodding even when they have not understood you. Do not be too pushy, but if an issue is important, ask simple questions to make sure your loved one is following the conversation.

If you suspect a loved one has an undiagnosed hearing condition, our hearing aid specialists can provide helpful information about hearing loss, licensed audiologists near you, and assistive hearing technology.

Contact Us

HearingPlanet's mission is to help people living with hearing loss find the information and technology they need to adapt. Contact our hearing aid experts at 1-800-432-7669.