Hearing loss is a problem that many older adults face as they age. In fact, nearly half of U.S. seniors over the age of 75 have age-related hearing loss that affects their daily lives. Not only do older adults have a higher probability of social isolation due to hearing loss, but the impact of that social isolation can even lead to depression and cognitive decline.
If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to recognize common signs, understand the causes behind these changes, and learn about lifestyle adjustments you can make to maintain a good quality of life.
Common Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can develop suddenly or gradually, and it isn’t always obvious at first. You or your loved one might respond to conversations differently, avoid certain social situations, or frequently ask people to repeat themselves. However, there are some common signs of hearing loss, including:
- Asking others to speak more slowly, clearly, or loudly
- Needing to turn up the volume on the television or radio
- Finding certain sounds bothersome or painful
- Perceiving speech and other sounds as muffled
- Ringing in the ears (i.e., tinnitus)
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
- Trouble understanding conversations when in a noisy place, like a restaurant or large family gathering
Common Causes of Hearing Loss
There are three main types of hearing loss, each with different underlying causes:
- Conductive Hearing Loss happens when there’s a problem in the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear that prevents sound from reaching the inner ear properly. In older adults, this is often caused by something as simple and treatable as impacted earwax.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss is the most common type in seniors and usually results from damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. It typically develops with age, but can also be caused by long-term noise exposure, chemotherapy, radiation, physical trauma, or genetics.
- Mixed Hearing Loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Other contributing factors to hearing loss can include:
- certain medications
- chronic health conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease
- family history of hearing loss
Most types of hearing loss aren’t reversible, but a doctor or hearing specialist can help identify the root cause and recommend ways to improve communication and quality of life.
What to Do When You’re Losing Your Hearing
If you or your loved one notice changes in hearing, taking action now can reduce the likelihood of it becoming a bigger problem. Addressing it early can help preserve communication, safety, and connection with others.
Contact a Doctor or Audiologist
Don’t wait for a routine physical. Schedule a hearing evaluation as soon as you notice signs of hearing loss. A doctor or audiologist can determine the type and degree of hearing loss and recommend next steps, whether that’s earwax removal, hearing aid use, or further testing.
Evaluate Medications for Side Effects
Some medications are ototoxic, meaning they can damage hearing. Bring a full list of current medications to the appointment so a healthcare provider can review them for potential contributing factors.
Keep a Symptom Log
Track when hearing difficulties happen, what environments they happen in, and make note of any other new symptoms, such as ringing in the ears or dizziness. This can help your doctor identify the cause more quickly.
Make Changes to the Home
Reduce background noise when possible, such as turning off the TV during conversation. You might also consider visual or vibrating alerts for doorbells, smoke alarms, and phones so important notifications aren’t missed.
Notify Family & Friends
Let the people around you know about the hearing changes so they can adjust how they communicate with you or your loved one. It’s recommended that people directly face the person they’re speaking with, talk clearly rather than loudly, and reduce background noise during conversation.
Approach the Topic with Care
Hearing loss can be a sensitive subject, especially since older adults may not realize how much their hearing has declined. It can feel like a loss of independence and sense of dignity. Bring it up gently and privately. Share a specific example, such as missing an alarm or a doorbell, and frame the conversation around safety and staying connected rather than making it feel like criticism. It may take more than one conversation to reach a resolution, so patience matters.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Living with Hearing Loss
Hearing loss doesn’t have to mean giving up independence or the activities you or your loved one enjoys. With the right lifestyle adjustments, you or your loved one can continue to stay engaged, safe, and connected while experiencing age-related hearing loss.
In-Home Adjustments and Tools
Simple changes around the home can make a big difference:
- Reduce background noise during conversations by turning off the TV or radio.
- Add soft furnishings like rugs and curtains to absorb excess sound and reduce echo.
- Consider assistive listening devices, amplified phones, captioned television, or vibrating and flashing alerts for doorbells, smoke detectors, and alarm clocks.
- Smart home devices with visual notifications can also help you or your loved one stay aware of what’s happening around them.
Maintaining Hobbies & Social Engagement
Favorite hobbies and social connections don’t have to disappear. Take advantage of technology and make intentional choices for meaningful socializing.
- Captioning options are now widely available for streaming services.
- Many venues, such as theaters and places of worship, offer assistive listening systems.
- Video calls with captions can make it easier to stay in touch with family.
- When socializing in person, encourage face-to-face conversation in well-lit, quieter settings.
- Let friends and family know how they can help by speaking clearly, facing the person, and avoiding talking from another room.
Medical Interventions
Depending on the type and severity of hearing loss, several medical options may help. An audiologist can walk through the pros, cons, and costs of each option to find the right fit:
- Hearing aids can amplify sound for many types of hearing loss.
- Cochlear implants may be recommended for more severe sensorineural hearing loss.
- If impacted earwax is the culprit, a simple in-office removal procedure may resolve the issue entirely.
Emotional & Practical Support
Hearing loss can take an emotional toll for both the person experiencing it and for those around them. Support doesn’t have to come from one place. Instead, it can be found with a variety of professionals:
- Audiologists & Hearing Specialists: They can fit and adjust hearing aids, recommend assistive devices (like specialized phone tools), and monitor changes over time.
- Therapists & Counselors: Talk therapy can help process feelings of frustration, grief, or anxiety that often come with hearing loss.
- Caregivers: In-home caregivers can provide companionship, help reduce social isolation, and support communication with patience and understanding.
- Support Groups: Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can offer both emotional support and practical tips that have worked for them.
BrightStar Care® Can Help You Stay Connected Through Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can impact nearly every part of you or your loved one’s daily life, but it doesn’t have to mean a loss of connection or independence while aging in place. With early action, thoughtful home adjustments, and the right support system, you or your loved one can continue to engage fully with family, friends, and daily activities.
At BrightStar Care, our care teams take a compassionate approach to building meaningful relationships with clients through meaningful conversation, companionship, and support with daily activities. Whether you or your loved one needs companion care or more comprehensive medical support with skilled nursing, we have the in-home care services to help you remain comfortable and safe at home.
Find a BrightStar Care near you, call (866) 618-7827, or contact us online to learn how we can support you and your family.