Effects of Hearing Loss on a Patient ’ s Life and how to better communicate !
By ELIZABETH BRASSINE , AU . D
We think of the obvious effect of hearing loss with regard to communication difficulties . However , your hearing health contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life . Statistically , hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans after hypertension and arthritis . Aging also brings cognitive processing deficits that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss , falls and other accidents . Let ’ s examine these effects .
MEMORY AND HEARING LOSS – Adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than adults with normal hearing . Also , adults with hearing loss develop a significant impairment in their cognitive abilities . 3.2 years sooner than those with normal hearing . It ’ s believed that untreated , degraded hearing may force the brain to devote too much of its energy / resources to processing sound .
DEMENTIA AND HEARING LOSS – Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing or treat their hearing loss . It appears that this effect increases as the amount of hearing loss increases .
FALLING AND HEARING LOSS – People with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falling . Each additional increase of hearing loss by 10 decibels increases the chance of falling by 1.4 times the original risk .
MENTAL HEALTH AND HEARING LOSS – Hearing loss results in social isolation . Adults with untreated hearing loss tend to withdraw from engaging with family and friends . They are also likely to report depression , anxiety , anger and frustration . The degree of depression or other emotional or mental health issues also increases with the severity of the hearing loss .
TINNITUS AND HEARING LOSS – Tinnitus or “ ringing in the ear ” affects up to 50 million Americans . 90 % of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss . The most common causes of tinnitus are : noise exposure , aging , head injury and medication side effects .
INCOME AND HEARING LOSS-Statistics show that people with untreated hearing loss lose up to $ 30,000 annually . Adults with hearing loss , who wear hearing aids , have a lower unemployment rate than those who don ’ t .
So , hearing loss can affect your life in many ways . You may miss out on talks with friends and family . Sometimes hearing problems can make you feel embarrassed , upset and lonely . It ’ s easy to withdraw when you can ’ t follow a conversation . It ’ s also easy for friends and family to think you are confused , uncaring or difficult when the problem may be that you just can ’ t hear well .
We often get asked in our office by friends and family , especially when fitting a new patient with hearing aids , how to best communicate with them . So , we thought we ’ d share some tips on best communicating with a hearing impaired person .
• Face the person and talk clearly ( not while walking away from patient or while looking in cabinets , refrigerators , etc ).
• Speak at a reasonable speed-often slowing down how you speak is more beneficial than raising your voice .
• Do not hide your mouth ( so much speech information comes from non-verbal cues and facial expressions ) or talk while eating or chewing gum .
• Stand in good lighting .
• Reduce background noises .
• Use facial expressions or gestures to give useful cues .
• Repeat yourself if necessary , using different words .
• Include the hearing-impaired person when talking . Talk with the person , not about the person when you are with others . This helps keep the person with hearing loss from feeling alone and excluded .
• Be patient ; stay positive and relaxed .
• Ask how you can help !
Also important , here are some tips of what the hearing impaired person can do to improve their communication with hearing aids :
• Let people know that you have difficulty hearing .
• Ask people to face you and to speak for slowly and clearly . Ask them to speak without shouting which can just distort the speech signal .
• Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures .
• Let the person talking know if you do not understand .
• Ask people to reword a sentence and try again .
• Turn off any unnecessary , extraneous noises ( such as radio while in car , TV at home , etc ).
• Wear your hearing aids consistently !
To hear better , is to live better ! Start a better health and wellness conversation today ! Better hearing health is possible ! Call your audiologist today !
COLLIN COUNTY • 15