According to the National Library of Medicine, “In adults, the prevalence [of hearing loss] appears to be nearly two-thirds of adults over 70 years of age in the United States, though it may be much higher.” If you have an older relative who you suspect has hearing loss, you’re probably right. Below we review how to tell if your loved one has hearing loss and what you can do to help them.
They Frequently Ask You to Repeat Yourself
Even if they’re straining to hear, if they have hearing loss, they will probably miss a lot of information. This is why they will probably ask you to repeat yourself frequently.
They Respond Inappropriately
If they respond during conversations in a way that doesn’t totally make sense, this is another sign of hearing loss. Many people with milder forms of this condition report they can hear but not understand what is said. Rather than feeling bothersome by asking you to repeat yourself, many people with hearing loss will just guess what was said.
They Have a Hard Time Talking on the Phone
The phone is one of the most notoriously difficult listening situations for people with hearing loss. This is because visual cues, like lipreading, facial expressions and gestures, are missing.
They Have Trouble in Background Noise
Another challenging listening situation is anywhere with a lot of background noise. If you find that your loved one has an especially difficult time hearing and following along in places like Local Kitchen on Sartori Avenue, this is another sign of hearing loss.
They Turn Up the Volume on the TV
If the TV is blaring because they’ve cranked up the volume much louder than is comfortable for others, it may be because they’re having trouble hearing the dialogue over the sounds of background music and sound effects.
They’re Socially Isolated
Becoming socially isolated and withdrawing from people and activities they once loved is another common sign of hearing loss, as it feels easier to do this than to try to struggle through interactions.
What You Can Do
If your loved one is exhibiting these symptoms of hearing loss, encourage them to schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist at Torrance Audiology, who can diagnose and prescribe treatment.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Torrance Audiology today.