People mumbling, fast talkers, random noises — these can make it difficult for older adults with hearing loss to participate in group conversations and may cause them to be left out altogether. People without hearing loss have to understand this challenge and remember to speak clearly, facing the older adult.
For older adults with hearing loss, the strategies below can help:
- Avoid extra noise or other background disturbances.
- Use what you already know about the speaker to help provide clues on what is going on in the conversation, such as the individual’s interests or lifestyle.
- Stay abreast on current events.
- Feel free to ask people to repeat themselves, or you can repeat the part of the message that you understood with a request for the speaker to repeat whatever part was unclear. (For example, “Where did you go?” “Who was it that called you last week?”)
- Be open about having hearing loss; that way people who you interact with know to adjust their speech, face you when they’re talking, or make other accommodations to help keep you in the discussion.
- Make sure you aren’t too tired before participating in an occasion where you will be listening to a lot of conversation.
- Adjust your position in such a way that you can see the faces of all those who are speaking.
Remember that for older adults with hearing loss, hearing aids today can typically compensate for the majority of hearing loss in individuals with diminished hearing. Surgical procedures may also be something for the individual to consider. Check with the person’s healthcare provider to find out whether any of the latest solutions may help, and contact Advanced Home Health Care for help as well.
We offer skilled, experienced, in-home care for seniors with hearing loss as well as any other issues of aging, enabling older adults to remain safe, independent and thriving at home through services such as:
- Genuine companionship when participating in hobbies, interests, recreational activities, etc.
- Light housekeeping and meal preparation
- Accompanied transportation to health-related appointments and procedures, visits with family and friends, and fun excursions
- Help with hygiene and bathing, getting dressed, ambulation, transferring, and other personal care needs
- Errand-running to pick up food items, prescriptions, or any other required items
- And much more
Contact us online or at 800-791-7785 to schedule a free in-home consultation with our elder care professionals and take the first step in improving quality of life for someone you love in Burlington, Fort Madison, Keokuk, or the surrounding areas.