Hearing loss is common in the U.S. and throughout the world, especially among the older population. In fact, according to one study, “It is estimated that 70% to 90% of elderly residents in long-term care facilities have some degree of hearing impairment.”
Unfortunately, despite the prevalence of hearing loss and use of hearing aids in nursing homes, another study found that, “73% of informants found that many residents need help with their hearing aids. Only one-tenth report that they know enough about the residents’ hearing aids.”
If your loved one wears hearing aids and lives in Good Samaritan Assisted Living, you can help both them and the staff by following our tips below.
Label the Hearing Aids
Using a permanent marker, you can label your loved one’s hearing aids with their name or initials. This way, if they fall out in the hallway or accidentally get picked up during a room clean, they can easily be returned to your loved one.
Establish a Nighttime Routine
To help prevent the hearing aids from getting lost, help your loved one choose a convenient location to put their hearing aids each night. Ideally, this would be somewhere near their bed. Avoid storing the hearing aids in the bathroom, where they will be subjected to humidity as well as be at risk of being knocked into the toilet or onto a hard surface.
Demonstrate Nightly Cleanings
If your loved one is able to perform nightly cleanings, show them how to do it. If they’re not, you can demonstrate how to do it to the staff. First, the hearing aids should be wiped down with a soft, dry, clean cloth. Then, stubborn debris should be removed with a wax pick/wire loop.
Purchase a Hearing Aid Lanyard
A hearing aid lanyard, also known as a cord and clip system, attaches your loved one’s hearing aids to their clothing. This way, if they do fall out of their ears, they’ll still be attached to their person.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Hearing Center Silver Spring today.