It’s hard to come to terms with a hearing loss. For most older adults like your mother or father, the loss comes gradually. Often they are not aware why they cannot hear. Although that may seem silly to you, if your parent gradually loses hearing and slowly accepts the loss of sound, this becomes their normal state. Over time, they may learn to read lips or pick up on the tones and word pitches they can detect. However, there comes a time when Mom or Dad must face the fact that they cannot hear the music, and must make a decision to hear or not to hear.
Hearing Amplifiers – The Cheaper Option
Hearing aids can be very expensive, and are not covered by insurance. Although they are very sophisticated and can be well tuned to your parent’s individual needs, professionals suggest many seniors do not have the patience or finances to go through the muss and fuss often associated with hearing aids. Instead, a personal sound amplifier may be used to watch TV or pick up local sounds. This is a device that is placed over the ear using a microphone to attract those sounds. The cost is less, no prescription is needed, and they are easy to use. However, this is only practical for someone with minimal hearing loss.
Professionals describe hearing aids as a medical device; they are much more than a sound amplifier, and are custom made to fit into the ear. Hearing aids are unique for each person’s hearing loss and can be programmed for the individual. Hearing aid devices take time to adapt to, especially if your parent has spent a lot of time with unaddressed hearing loss.
Before selecting a hearing aid or amplifier, it is important to speak with a doctor and an audiologist to discuss the best option. Let a home care aid professional support your loved one’s hearing health.
Work with a Caregiver
When working with a caregiver, they can help provide support around the home or assist with activities that may have become difficult for your parent or loved one. Tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, personal care and medication reminders are all tasks with which home health aides can help.
For more information regarding our home care services, contact Assisting Hands Fort Myers at (239) 337-4263. We provide free, in-home consultations to discuss your parents’ needs as well as how we can help with our home care services. We proudly serve Fort Myers, FL and the surrounding areas of Lee County, FL.
