One-third of people over the age of 61 experience some level of hearing loss, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. There is more going on here than just having to turn up the television, though. Hearing loss is a safety concern and a health issue. Often, an older person may not even realize they are struggling to hear. It is the people in their lives, like adult children, that make the connection. Consider three reasons you need to have a conversation with your parent if you suspect a hearing problem.
- Because It Will Make Their Lifes Better
There is nothing quite as frustrating as the inability to hear conversations, your favorite TV show or your grandchild’s laugh. Mom or dad might mess up appointments or get lost all the time simply because they didn’t hear the directions clearly.
The age-related hearing loss is generally gradual, so the parent who is experiencing this change may not understand what is going on. It will be a relief to find out the problem is not mental confusion, but related to hearing, instead. Once the proper tools are in place, like a hearing aid, life will be less chaotic and more pleasurable.
- The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
Studies show that people with a hearing deficit are prone to memory problems and dementia. There is clear evidence hearing problems can increase the risk of dementia by up to 40 percent. The exact reason is unclear, but it might be related to brain overload and social isolation.
It is also easy to confuse hearing loss with memory problems. If you notice your parent seems to forget things, the assumption may be he or she is just getting older. It is worth having your parent’s hearing checked before jumping to conclusions about memory.
- Hearing Loss Affects Personal Safety
Hearing is a critical safety tool. Put simply, if you can’t hear something, how can you avoid it? A car racing down the street, the cat meowing at your feet, the fire alarm, a van backing up – these are all sounds that alert you to a potential safety issue that your parent may miss. The human brain relies on sound to warn it of possible danger.
Hearing loss can put the people around your parent at risk, as well. Mom didn’t show up to pick up the baby because she heard the time wrong. Dad got into a fender bender because he didn’t hear that car horn.
The brain tends to compensate for hearing loss. You automatically turn up the TV, you start to get visual clues by lip reading and you dismiss missing words as the speaker mumbling. If you notice your parent is having a problem understanding you, then it is time to bring up the subject of hearing loss. Your parents took care of you when you needed them; now return the favor by taking mom and dad for a hearing test.