This week is National Deaf Awareness Week which sees organisations having conversations with the public about the impacts of deafness and how we can create an inclusive community for people with hearing loss.
Age Related Hearing Loss
I regularly come across older people who find it increasingly difficult to hear and see the impact it has. Hearing loss in older adults is surprisingly common with 42% of over 50 year olds being affected and a staggering 71% over 70!
If hearing loss is not addressed the impact can be far reaching and includes:
- Communication difficulties – struggling to hear and understand people.
- Social isolation – people stop meeting friends and going out because they can’t join in the conversation.
- Loss of independence – people may ask others to help them with arranging appointments, making phonecalls and sorting out various things which can in turn lead to a…
- Loss of confidence – affecting wellbeing and self esteem.
- Depression – this is not uncommon as people become more withdrawn and less able to communicate.
- Reduced quality of life
The Signs
There are a number of signs which may indicate hearing loss, which you or a loved one may recognise. These include:
- Thinking other people sound like they’re mumbling
- Asking people to repeat things for you often
- Having difficulty understanding what is being said in noisy places
- Finding it hard to keep up with group conversation
- Getting tired from having to concentrate so much
- Finding other people think your TV or music is too loud
- Often having difficulty hearing on the telephone.
Getting Help
If you or a loved one suspect that hearing is becoming more difficult or shows any of the signs above, see your GP who can refer you for a specialist hearing test.
This is a free service and if you are recommended Hearing Aids, they will be free too on a long term loan and batteries are replaced at no extra charge.
See https://www.nhs.uk for more information.
Contrary to popular belief the NHS does offer discreet hearing aids however for a larger range and the most up to date technology you may want to go to a private audiologist where you can pay up to £3500 for a set of hearing aids.
If you are living with someone with dementia, it is important to understand if hearing loss is the cause behind communication difficulties or it is part of dementia.
It is easy to wrongly assume that someone’s low mood, quietness and frustration is due to dementia; however physical causes need to be ruled out, before coming to that conclusion.
Hopefully this Deaf Awareness week will lead to more inclusiveness, understanding and improved health and well being for all.
If you’d like to read more about Deaf Awareness Week
Deaf awareness
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