Taking care of a family member, whether they’re a parent, grandparent or long-lost aunt, is a wonderful thing to do. If someone under your care has hearing loss, it helps to know how you can help them manage the condition safely and thoughtfully.
Let’s look at a few steps you can take to ensure your loved one gets the best care.
1. Start With Open Communication
Everybody has their own communication preferences, with or without hearing loss. Talk to your family member and ask them how they prefer you communicate moving forward. A few simple ways you can make communication more hearing loss-friendly include:
- Facing your loved one while speaking
- Tapping their shoulder to get their attention before talking
- Rephrasing yourself or adding context when necessary
- Removing background noise like the TV or radio
Your loved one may ask you to do one or more of the above, or something entirely different. Remember to respect their requests; don’t assume that you know what they need.
2. Talk to Their Hearing Specialist
If you bring your loved one to their doctor’s appointments, ask if you can sit in on their visits to Hearing Center Silver Spring as well. We can walk you through their hearing loss, explain how their hearing aids work and answer any questions you have.
3. Set up Visual and Tactile Alerts
Visual and tactile alerts are a great alternative to traditional sound alerts. You can install flashing smoke alarms, bed shakers and a video doorbell to help your loved one navigate their life safely.
4. Spend Time With Them
Hearing loss can feel isolating. Many studies have even linked it to an increased risk of loneliness and social isolation.[1] Don’t forget that, while you may be a caregiver, you’re also a friend. Make time to hang out, watch movies, go to Wheaton Regional Park or do anything else that brings you both some joy.
Hearing loss can be frustrating to live with, but with the help of hearing aids and some caring people in your life, it’s much more manageable. For more information on how you can help your loved ones with hearing loss, contact Hearing Center Silver Spring today.
[1] Shukla, A., Harper, M., Pedersen, E., Goman, A., Suen, J. J., Price, C., Applebaum, J., Hoyer, M., Lin, F. R., & Reed, N. S. (2020). Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngology–head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 162(5), 622–633. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820910377