About a third of seniors aged 65 to 74 have some degree of hearing loss, a number that climbs even higher beyond that age range. While many factors contribute to hearing loss, including genetics and injuries to sensitive parts of the inner ear, exposure to loud noises can also result in hearing loss. It’s this type of hearing loss that can often be prevented in seniors. Here are a few tips to achieve this.
Buy Devices with Low Noise Ratings
Many of the electronic devices seniors use in their daily lives offer greater control over noise levels. Help your senior loved one choose devices specifically designed to minimize noise and increase sound clarity.
Wear Earplugs in Loud Environments
Whether it’s from a particularly noisy outdoor event or unavoidable construction noise on a nearby street, the effects of noise in loud environments can be reduced with comfortable earplugs. Properly fitting earplugs can reduce noise levels as much as 30 decibels.
If your loved one is experiencing hearing loss and could use some extra help at home to remain safe and comfortable, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Clearwater seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Politely Request a Reduction in Noise
While it’s not always possible, some places your loved one visits often, such as a local gym or a favorite restaurant, may be able to turn down the volume on music systems or televisions. Even some movie theaters may make sound adjustments if you ask the manager.
Avoid Excessively Noisy Environments
When possible, avoid excessively noisy environments. Even going to restaurants or shopping centers during less busy hours can minimize excessive background noise.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of at-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Remove Earwax Properly
Your loved one may start turning up the TV if he or she has accumulated earwax, sometimes to the point where the volume level poses a threat to his or her hearing. An at-home irrigation kit can be used to safely remove earwax. Noises at or above 85 decibels can result in some degree of hearing impairment. If you suspect your loved one may be experiencing hearing loss, schedule an appointment with an audiologist for an evaluation.
Make sure your loved one has the support he or she needs to prevent hearing loss. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. Clearwater families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.