5 Tips to Help Seniors Enjoy and Engage in Family Gatherings
By Mark Conradt, Au.D of Audiology and Hearing Aid Center of Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists of Wisconsin
People who experience hearing loss have different ways of dealing with this distressing change. Some expect their spouse to repeat everything for them, while others try lip reading or opt to get tested and fitted for hearing aids. Hearing loss also can be a threat to your long-term mental health, as shown by research that found hearing loss in middle age may be a precursor to dementia. As we disengage from healthy family and social interactions, we also increase our “mental load” spent on deciphering language and neglect other parts of our healthy brain function.
First, a short lesson on age-related hearing loss: Our ears and brain work together to help “bring out” the sounds we want to hear by using pattern recognition. When the delicate cells in the ear that receive sound deteriorate because of aging, genetics, or noise exposure, the brain doesn’t have as many sound clues to solve the puzzle of what is being transmitted. Add distracting background sounds from a full household—or a mind that does not follow things quite as quickly as it used to—and it becomes impossible to understand what is being said.
Hearing loss affects the majority of Americans as we age. According to the National Institute on Aging, 18 percent of American adults 45-64 years old already have hearing loss, and by the time we are 75, nearly 47 percent us will have a hearing impairment. Hearing loss especially affects a person’s ability to interact socially. Older people with hearing loss might:
My job as a doctor of audiology is to help people restore their hearing—and with it, their self-esteem, ability to enjoy life, and their hopes for a healthy future. I work with individuals and families to choose the best tools, like hearing aids, to help restore hearing. Also consider these tips when in the midst of a large family gathering:
Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the company of others, especially as we age and want to experience the joy of our grown kids and grandkids. Hearing is a very big part of our ability to stay involved and engaged with the people we love. If you or someone you love is showing signs of hearing loss, make an appointment with a qualified audiologist. You will also learn about how to properly clean your ears, what to expect during a hearing test, and how to choose properly fitting hearing aids.