Changes in our hearing as we age are often subtle (and NORMAL), like many of the other changes we experience with age. The best analogy I read was “hearing loss sneaks up on us like grey hairs”. They don’t all show up at once, you get one or two and then down the road the whole head is grey. Hearing loss is very much the same. You will start to notice that you occasionally have difficulty with television and the volume starts to creep up or when out at your favorite restaurant you aren’t understanding everything. Next thing you know the television is almost at full volume and anytime you are at your favorite restaurant you struggle to hear your companion.
These early and subtle difficulties should not be ignored. Things to look for in yourself or in others:
- Speech is muffled or unclear
- Turning up the volume of the television or radio
- Trouble hearing on the phone
- Difficulty hearing in groups or starting to avoid loud social situations
- Asking others to repeat themselves more slowly or clearly
- Trouble hearing certain sounds
- Difficulty telling where sounds are coming from
- Feeling tired, frustrated or stressed
- Tinnitus; ringing or any noises in your ears
If you are noticing these signs/symptoms in a loved one, things you can do to help without being overly aggressive are as follows:
- Reduce background noise whenever possible, ie: mute the television
- Face the person when speaking to them
- Don’t shout
- Don’t block your mouth or face when speaking
- Rephrase instead of repeating
- Be patient
- Ask how you can help improve communication
My general rule is no talking room to room. “If you are the talker, you are the walker”.
Finally, if you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, get your hearing testing. It isn’t always easy to tell if you are losing your hearing and others around you may have noticed before you. Hearing loss is gradual, just like those pesky grey hairs are (I would know as I have both some hearing loss and some pesky greys). It is important to pay attention to those first signs, so you can continue to be your vibrant, active self!
Here at Gardner Audiology, we have a Doctor of Audiology team of experts who can evaluate you and help you determine the best path forward. Call us at 1-800-277-1182 to schedule at one of our nine locations or schedule online at www.GardnerAudiology.com
