We may think that it is normal for the elderly to face hearing impairment owing to their ages. While other parts of their bodies become flabby with time, their ears become “fit” inside. Hearing is very important to our lives indeed. So, it will be not good for sure if hearing impairment does occur.
The elderly usually have worse hearing ability. They often undergo tinnitus or hypacusis. The initial symptom is that they barely hear high-pitched or high-frequency sounds, e.g., women’s voices or music with treble keys. When they are in noisy ambiences, they might not be able to catch any words. Consequently, they will understand or communicate with others less than before unawarely.
Prevention and Care
To prevent the subjected problem and to take care of the elderly with this disease need cooperation between patients themselves and descendants. Some useful guidelines are presented as follows:
1. Notice symptoms The elderly should notice their own hearing regularly. Or descendants should notice the elderly in the family whether or not they are facing this problem, or whether or not it is getting worse. By doing so, proper treatments will be discovered in good time.
2. Descendants should treat the elderly with comprehension. To do so, they might talk to the elderly closely and slowly with lower and louder tones along with eye contact. They might choose to stand or sit in positions where the elderly can see their mouths clearly. Above all, descendants should talk to the elderly in quietsites.
3. In case the elderly confront severe hearing impairment, especially if it happens to both ears. This will significantly affect their quality of life as they will not be able to communicate with others. They should consult physicians to rehabilitate hearing capacity by leaning on hearing aids which can lessen the problem at a certain level.
Even though our increasing ages bring about less efficiency of hearing, unlike when we were young, if we disregard this issue, we will finally end up with hardships of living, sociability, or communications. As a result, unexpected dangers might take place. Thus, we should never be indifferent to this worrisome trouble.