Sometimes when people have hearing loss they are reluctant to tell anyone because they are embarrassed. Other times, a person may not realize they have a hearing loss or may be in denial of the situation. Three out of every ten Americans age 60 and older experiences hearing loss. Many doctors don’t screen for hearing loss as part of a regular check-up, so it’s possible your dad is one of the many seniors with hearing loss. While it’s possible that you are his elder care provider have noticed some signs that his hearing isn’t as sharp as it used to be, perhaps you’re not sure if he’s truly experiencing hearing loss. Here are some signs to watch for:

• Dad frequently asks people to repeat themselves. It’s not uncommon for a person to have trouble hearing people who are standing several feet away, but if your dad says “what?” often, he probably should have his hearing checked.
• Dad avoids using the phone. If you’ve noticed that your dad has begun to avoid using the phone, it may be because he has trouble hearing the person on the other end of the line. You might also notice that he has the volume on the phone turned up so high that you can hear the person he’s talking to from across the room.
• Dad gets complaints about the television volume. If your dad has trouble following television programs and keeps turning up the volume to the point where others complain about the volume, he is likely experiencing hearing loss.
• Dad gets irritated and says people mumble a lot. You’re speaking just as clearly to your dad as you do to everyone else, but he tells you that you mumble. Sometimes people have difficulty hearing certain frequencies, causing the impression that people are mumbling.
• Dad can’t hear you unless he can see your face. If your dad seems to hear you better when he can see your lips, he may be reading your lips without even realizing it.
• Dad misunderstands what people say. You might have said, “Dad, did you feed the cat?” but your dad heard, “Dad, did you read the hat?” If your dad seems confused during conversations sometimes, you might jump to the conclusion that he is experiencing cognitive difficulties, but he may just need his hearing checked.
• Dad can’t hear his grandchildren. You might notice that your dad hears most people alright, but he has difficulty hearing his young grandchildren or the women in his family. Because hearing loss occurs more frequently in high frequencies than in lower ones, children and women with higher voices can be hard to hear.

Encourage your dad’s elder care provider to alert you if they notice symptoms of hearing loss. If your dad resists having his hearing checked, enlist the help of someone whose advice he trusts, such as his doctor. Your dad may also appreciate hearing from a friend who wears a hearing aid and can talk to them about how their life has improved now that they have better hearing.

Sources
http://www.healthyhearing.com/report/43310-Ten-signs-of-hearing
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/do-i-need-hearing-aids
http://www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/signs-hearing-loss
http://www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/prevalence-hearing-loss

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elder Care in St. Pete Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.