Communication Tips for Seniors with Age- Related Hearing Loss

     Adults over age 65 years old often suffer from age related hearing loss. Senior who are hearing impaired may avoid family and social activities because of difficulty hearing. Learning techniques for communicating with hearing impaired seniors can benefit both you and loved ones with hearing loss.

     The following tips can improve you communication skills with someone who is hard of hearing. Enunciate clearly and repeat sentences when it is necessary. Turn down the television or radio volume. Background noise can make it difficult for seniors with hearing impairment to participate in conversations. Speak slowly, clearly and repeat sentences when asked. If a senior has difficulty hearing in one ear, speak into the other ear. Maintain consistent eye contact and do not cover your mouth when speaking. Most importantly be patient, use body language, nonverbal cues or a dry erase board to help older adults with age related hearing loss join the conversation.

      Hearing loss can lead to frustration and isolation. Learning communication techniques can help hearing impaired family members rejoin the conversation. Don’t let age related hearing loss stop a loved one from participating in daily activities.

 Communication Techniques:

•             Do not eat or drink when speaking.

•             Face the person when speaking.

•             Use body language and non-verbal cues.

•             Use a dry erase board and marker.

•             Lower the TV or radio volume.

•             Maintain consistent eye contact.

•             Repeat words when asked.

•             Speak into the good ear.

•             Do not cover your mouth.

•            Speak clearly, slowly and enunciate.

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Presbycusis: Age Related Hearing Loss

In adults over age 65 years, hearing loss is a common problem. One-third of elderly Americans have age-related hearing loss according to the American Speech, Hearing and Language Association. Despite the severity of the problem, many hearing impaired seniors do not seek treatment. Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation, frustration, withdrawal from social activities and depression. Fortunately, because of advances in audiology, seniors with age related hearing loss can lead full and complete lives.

Three types of hearing loss are prevalent in older adults. They are tinnitus, conductive hearing loss and presbycusis. The most common form of hearing loss in people over 65 years old is presbycusis, a form of age related hearing loss. Presbycusis is caused by the natural aging process of the peripheral and central auditory system. The symptoms of presbycusis include difficulty hearing shrill sounds or hearing above loud background noise. Other symptoms include listening to the television at a louder volume than normal. Hearing-impaired seniors frequently ask people to repeat themselves during conversations. Because of presbycusis, elderly adults may experience social withdrawal, frustration and difficulty participating in daily activities and family events.

Presbycusis cannot be reversed. However, hearing can be improved with treatment and assistive devices. If you are hard of hearing, your medical doctor can to refer you to an audiologist. An audiologist can conduct a hearing test to determine the amount of hearing impairment you have. They can also help you decide whether a hearing aid or other device is needed to improve your hearing. Besides hearing aids, there are other assistive devices for the hard of hearing including closed caption TV, alert systems, and telephones with adjustable volume. With medical treatment and a hearing aid, elderly adults with hearing impairment can enjoy life and participate in social and family activities without embarrassment.

Seniors and Signs of Depression

Everyone experiences depression occasionally. Older adults are more likely to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder than any other age group according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Learning to recognize the warning signs of major depressive disorder in the elderly is the first step in treatment and recovery.

Because identifying depression is difficult, many caregivers and family members confuse late life depression for normal signs of ageing. The symptoms of major depressive disorder include loss of interest in daily activities and feelings of sadness for a two-week period or longer. In addition, changes in appetite, lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, irritability, impaired concentration and suicidal thoughts or thoughts of death are other indications of depressive disorder. Seniors with depression may also exhibit additional symptoms including memory loss, confusion, and poor grooming habits, substance abuse, isolation and low appetite.

The causes of major depression are unknown. In elderly adults, major clinical depression may be triggered by loneliness and isolation, the death of a spouse or infrequent contact with family members. Some prescription medications can also cause symptoms of depression in seniors. In addition, medical problems like cancer, thyroid disease, cancer and chronic pain can also trigger depression.

Once a senior is diagnosed with major clinical depression, treatment begins. Depression treatment includes individual and group therapy, antidepressant medications, nutritional and lifestyle counseling. Activities like walking, yoga, gardening and art therapy are useful in reducing depression symptoms. Being surrounded by supportive caring people is crucial in recovery from depression. Elder care facilities offer seniors emotional support, companionship, social and recreational activities necessary to recover from a major depressive episode. Seniors who live alone may need to widen their social circle. Enrolling in a class, joining a book club, gardening or volunteer work are activities that can help elderly adults decrease loneliness. In adults over 65 years old, depression is a common problem. With proper treatment and support, elderly adults can recover from depression and reclaim their lives.