National Family Caregivers Association

Tuesday Mar 16, 2010

Caring for Loved Ones with Hearing Loss

Presented by Songbird Hearing, Inc.

Hearing loss among those who require the assistance of a caregiver is causing serious problems that impact both the patient and those providing care, according to a new survey released by Songbird Hearing, Inc. More than 44 million Americans now serve as caregivers for a friend, neighbor or family member. These caregivers often find themselves dealing with an overwhelming amount of responsibility, and the National Caregivers Survey revealed that dealing with hearing loss adds to the stress.

In fact, eight of ten caregivers expressed concern about hearing loss in the person for which they care, and 86 percent of that group feels that a person’s inability to hear clearly can affect the care they receive on a daily basis, according to the nationwide survey of professional and family caregivers.

Recognizing the signs of hearing loss
The survey also confirmed that it is often a loved one or caregiver who first notices a person’s hearing problem. It is therefore increasingly important for caregivers to know how to recognize the signs of hearing loss.

A person may have a hearing loss if…

They frequently complain that people mumble, speech is not clear, or they hear only parts of conversations when people are talking.
They often strain to hear or ask people to repeat what they said.
They play the TV or radio too loudly.
They do not laugh at jokes because they miss too much of the story.
They need to ask others about the details of a meeting they just attended.
They cannot hear the doorbell or the telephone.
They find that looking at person they are talking to makes it somewhat easier to understand.

Encouraging your loved one to get a hearing aid
Hearing aids are the single most effective therapeutic approach for the majority of people with hearing loss. Hearing aids are ear-level or body-worn instruments designed to amplify sound. They collect sounds from the environment (via a microphone), amplify the sounds, then direct this amplified signal into the user's ear (via a receiver). Unfortunately, only 20% of individuals with hearing loss seek action through hearing aids. There have been many reasons cited for not using hearing aids, including expense, lack of confidence in professionals, and a lack of severity of loss to require the need for a hearing aid in all situations, Consumers wait an average of 7 – 10 years before seeking help for their hearing problems.

Typically, hearing loss happens gradually over time. That’s why in the beginning most people don’t notice they have a hearing problem. It’s more likely to be noticed by friends and family who hear the TV being turned up or are being asked to repeat themselves. That’s also why someone with mild to moderate hearing loss may not feel the need to wear a hearing aid all of the time – they only notice a need to hear better in a few situations.

The longer a person goes without hearing certain sounds, the harder it can be to adjust and relearn which sounds are important and which should be filtered out as background noise once someone starts wearing hearing aids. With hearing aids, individuals will find they can eliminate embarrassing or confusing incidents and hear better in general, improving their overall quality of life.

Below are some common objections to the suggestion of seeing a doctor and/or buying a hearing aid and reasons why you, as a caregiver, should push back on those objections:

"I can hear just fine. People aren't talking loud enough."

With early hearing loss, people start to have trouble hearing certain higher pitched sounds – so in their ears, people really are mumbling.

If you suspect you or someone you care for has a hearing loss, you should suggest that they visit a doctor as hearing loss can be the symptom of a more serious medical condition or simply the result of an excessive wax build-up. A physician can treat these conditions and rule out any medical concerns.

"It would cost too much to get a hearing aid!"

Cost is major concern for someone who is beginning to feel the effects of mild hearing loss. Traditional hearing aids can represent a big commitment - they can cost thousands of dollars and can require substantial time spent with professional fittings or maintenance, or the replacement of batteries. Purchasing a reputable disposable hearing aid is one way to minimize that financial commitment.

"I'm not old! Only old people need hearing aids!"

If your loved one is concerned about being perceived as "old" when using a hearing aid, remind them that being left out of conversations and constantly asking others repeat themselves can make them look and feel older than simply wearing the hearing aid.

While hearing aids used to be large and bulky, technology has changed drastically over the last few years. New models exist that are virtually invisible and fit in the ear canal and behind the ear inconspicuously while addressing hearing loss.

Tips for Talking with and Caring for People with Hearing Loss
1. Get their attention. Before you start any conversation with a person with hearing loss, make sure they know you are talking to them. Saying their name or tapping them on the shoulder are good ways to get their attention
2. Speak clearly, in a natural way, enunciating each syllable. This automatically slows your speech and gives the listener more time to process information. Do not speak too slowly, as this will affect the naturalness of your speech, and make it more difficult to understand.
If the person with hearing loss has difficulty with letters and numbers say, "M as in Mary," "B as in Boy," etc. and say each number separately, like "five six" instead of "fifty-six."
3. Do not raise your voice. Contrary to what many people think, raising your voice often makes it more difficult for people with hearing loss to understand you. Most people with hearing loss miss the consonants of words, and shouting actually emphasizes the vowels.
4. Face the person with whom you are speaking. People with hearing loss often rely on speech reading more than they realize, but they need to be able to see faces and lips clearly. Be sure to keep things away and out of your mouth when talking. Ensure that light is not shining into their eyes. If you know (or if it becomes evident) from which side the person hears best, talk to that side.
5. Gesture appropriately. There are many universal gestures that can help those with hearing loss better understand you. Nod or shake your head for yes or no responses, shrug your shoulders for uncertainty, raise your eyebrows for questions and point to things or people being discussed.
6. Ask for more than a nod. Do not assume that an individual with hearing loss understood you simply because they are nodding. If what you said is important, ask for confirmation in the form of a response to assure that you were understood.
7. Try to eliminate distracting noises. Listening in noisy environments is difficult. In fact, it is the chief complaint of those with hearing aids, as individuals with hearing loss are usually not able to filter those sounds out to hear your words clearly. Try turning off the television, radio, fan and/or air conditioner if they are interfering.
Avoid cross talk when in a group. Persons with hearing loss can also benefit from seating themselves at a table where they can best see all parties (e.g. from the end of a rectangular table or a round table), and with their back to a wall, so that there will be no additional distracting noises coming from behind.
8. Advocate. Many public places (such as hotels, churches, libraries, museums, stadiums, auditoriums, movies, theatres, TV stations, etc.) should provide assistive listening technology. When available, ask to use it. When not available explain how important it is and that it may be required under disability laws. Few managers understand what is needed or most appropriate. Your courteous comments and advice may be welcomed.
9. Keep ears and hearing aids clean. Regularly visit the doctor to have the person with hearing loss’s ears checked and ear wax removed, if necessary. One-third of adults over the age of 65 experience problems with impacted ear wax. Also make sure that the hearing aid is working, clean and free from ear wax.

This information was provided to you by Songbird Hearing in coordination with Songbird’s consulting audiologist, Alyssa R. Needleman, Ph.D., CCC-A, FAAA

Visit www.songbirdhearing.com for more information about how Songbird can help caregivers deal with hearing loss.

*Important Medical Information: Hearing loss can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition or the result of excessive wax build-up. A physician can treat these conditions. If you have not already done so, the makers of Songbird Disposable Digital Hearing Aids suggest you should consult your doctor to rule out any of these medical concerns.*

1. 2004 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP
2. National Council on the Aging. (1999). The consequences of untreated hearing loss in older persons. Study conducted by the Seniors Research Group. The National Council on the Aging, Washington, DC.
3. Kochkin, S. (1993). MarkeTrak III: Why 20 million in US don’t use hearing aids for their hearing loss. Hear J, 46(1): 20-7.
4. Better Hearing Institute. (2007). Executive summary of the impact of hearing loss treatment. See http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_solutions/qualityOfLifeDetail.cfm. Last visited July 17, 2007.