Whenever someone begins suffering from hearing loss due to age, the natural inclination is to become more reserved and cut off from the world. It can be extremely challenging to overcome this feeling when basic things integral to human interaction become impossible. However, hearing loss is not something that has to define you, as many seniors in America overcome and thrive despite a loss of hearing. The best way to cope with hearing loss is to obtain a hearing aid. These devices have evolved to become small, discreet, and effective – but if, for some reason, a hearing aid cannot help you (or if yu hate wearing one), there are other options to consider.
If you are looking for ways to minimize the discomfort hearing loss can bring, read this blog further to learn some of our best tips.
Living With Hearing Loss
Being unable to hear those around you or your environment is understandably jarring if you come from an entire life with no hearing issues. More than just the inconvenience it can bring, problems with self-esteem and confidence can arise. You might feel wary of jumping into the middle of a conversation, fearing that you misunderstood or misheard the topic at hand. Maybe you feel worried that your hearing loss can lead to misunderstandings during the flow of dialogue. However, some changes in your behavior can help bring tangible improvements to your overall quality of life.
Learning other forms of communication like sign language and mastering lipreading, will be two alternative ways you can continue to live an everyday life unencumbered by many instances of miscommunication. Lipreading, if done well, can allow someone with reduced hearing capabilities to stay engaged in conversations without needing to concern others with their limitation. Conversing with friends and family is most important, so requesting that they speak clearly without covering their mouths is usually sufficient once you become proficient at lip reading. However, you shouldn’t feel bad if you miss some words or lose track of the conversation. In this case, utilizing basic forms of sign language can be helpful. Sign language can help to quickly convey important information in a way that can’t be misconstrued. Your entire family can join in on the learning process to help accommodate any misunderstandings. The best ‘bang for your buck” when learning sign language is to focus on commonly used words and the alphabet to spell out anything else.
While this might not be conducive to fast-flowing conversations, writing down something, either on paper or a digital device, is the best way to make sure nothing is being misconstrued or misunderstood. This is best utilized for important dates, topics, or schedules. When you go to a doctor’s appointment, get invited to a friend’s house, or plan to cheer on a grandkid at a baseball game – always get dates, times, and essential info written down and sent to you in plain English. Not only will this prevent you from remembering incorrect information, but it will also ensure you do not have to fret about remembering information over a long period. Anyone suffering from memory loss can make use of this tip as well.
Hearing loss can bring more than just losses in your social life. Being unable to hear your surroundings can make you feel uncomfortable in a wide range of settings, both in public and at home. If you are worried about being at home alone and unable to hear possible intruders or dangers, consider improving your security system to include features such as automatic alerts to authorities, louder and brighter alarms, and more.
If living with hearing loss is making your daily life and independence difficult, choosing to stay at an assisted living facility is an option. Assisted living facilities can help improve well-being and promote independence as much as possible in a safe environment. Seniors can live independently while having the security of full-time staff and a facility full of friends to look out for them. A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care center in Venice, Florida.
