Hearing loss is more common among older adults. We’ve shared information before on this blog about hearing loss and older adults. Almost one-third of adults over the age of 65 have hearing loss, and 50% of those over the age of 75. It’s more than just an annoyance. For seniors, hearing loss can impact cognitive health and independence.
If you or a senior in your family live with hearing loss, finding ways to compensate for it is the key to maintaining independence.
Overcoming Hearing Loss to Maintain Independence
Here are a few steps you can take to maintain your independence despite having hearing loss:
- Written word: From medication dosage to physician appointments, it’s vital to get information and instructions in writing. This is especially true when it comes to your health. Having a written document to refer to can help ensure that you didn’t misunderstand important information.
- Home security system: Having a home security system installed is another step you can take to stay safe. You might not hear a window being broken by a home intruder, but the security system will detect it and alert the police. If you have cameras installed near exterior doors, you won’t have to open them to see who is on the other side.
- Smoke and fire detectors: Another challenge to staying safely independent when you have hearing loss is being able to hear smoke alarms. The good news is there are fire alert systems that are designed for people with a hearing impairment. They flash a strobe light when smoke or fire is detected. You can even find models that will cause the bed to shake if you are sleeping when a fire is detected in the home.
- Adaptive doorbells: There are several different types of doorbells you can install in your home if you have hearing loss. Depending upon how profound your hearing loss is, you might only need a doorbell with sound that is very loud. If you have severe hearing loss, there are models that flash when the doorbell is pressed.
- Landlines and mobile phones: From captioned telephone services to amplified phones and 711 telecommunications relay services, there are a variety of options for people with hearing loss to stay connected. Visit “Phones and Mobile Devices” on The Hearing Loss Association of America website to learn more.
Live Your Best Life at a Five Star Community
Residents at Five Star Senior Living communities across the country enjoy the highest quality of life despite conditions like hearing or vision loss. From our carefully designed environment to in-apartment safety systems, the best way to learn more is by visiting in person. Call the Five Star community nearest you to schedule a private tour today!