Hearing loss in the elderly is common, and it can significantly impact their quality of life, especially if they wish to remain independent. Assisted living at home can provide the support they need to navigate these challenges while staying safe and comfortable in familiar surroundings.
According to studies, one-third of people over 60 and half of those over 80 experience some level of hearing loss. Recognizing the signs early can help you ensure your loved one gets the right care and support.
What Causes Hearing Loss in Seniors?
Hearing loss in seniors is often part of the aging process and is called presbycusis. Presbycusis refers to the changes that occur to the blood flow and structure of the ear, as well as the changes in how the brain processes sounds and speech. It is a slow process of losing aspects of hearing over the years. Sometimes, it can happen so gradually that your loved one may not even realize he’s lost some of his hearing.
Other health factors can also contribute to or exasperate hearing loss such as diabetes, high blood pressure, poor circulation, and certain medications.
Signs that Your Elderly Loved One May Have Hearing Loss
For many experiencing hearing loss due to presbycusis, the changes often happen gradually. One of the first signs is difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds, making it hard to understand a child’s voice or a soft-spoken adult.
Another common challenge is hearing clearly in noisy environments. Your loved one may struggle to focus on a conversation in a crowded setting or have difficulty hearing phone calls when there’s background noise. These challenges can be especially frustrating without the right support, such as assisted living at home services that provide tailored help for their needs.
Many elderly individuals with hearing loss also experience tinnitus—constant ringing or humming in the ears that isn’t caused by external noise. This condition can make it even harder to distinguish real sounds in their surroundings, adding to daily frustrations.
Hearing loss can also lead to sensitivity to certain noises. For example, a deep bass sound might feel painful, or loud environments could cause disorientation, even triggering severe headaches.
As these struggles continue, behavioral changes often follow. Your loved one might withdraw from group activities or avoid meeting friends in noisy restaurants. Over time, this isolation can lead to depression and a loss of interest in favorite pastimes.
Assisted living at home can help ensure they stay connected and engaged, providing support to navigate these challenges while remaining in a familiar and comforting environment.
Assisted Living at Home Can Help Keep Your Loved One Safe at Home Despite Hearing Loss
While many doctors will recommend hearing aids to help with hearing loss, that option may not work for your loved one either to the degree where it fully restores his hearing or at all. When that’s the case and he continues to struggle with hearing loss but wants to remain in his home, having someone provide assisted living at home might be his best option.
With a caring provider of assisted living at home, your loved one can stay in his home and have someone there to help him with any obstacles his hearing loss creates. The assisted living at home providers can be his set of ears, making sure that he stays safe while in the home and can communicate with those around him in meaningful and productive ways.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Assisted Living at Home in New Haven, CT, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of New Haven, CT, today. Call (203) 538-6273
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Hartford CT, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in New Haven, Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Cheshire, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven, Woodbridge, and Woodmont and surrounding areas in Connecticut.
Sources:
- Lifestyle Changes for Senior Wellness - April 10, 2025
- Top Signs of Hearing Loss in Your Loved One - March 25, 2025
- Increasing Safety Beyond Normal Home Modifications - March 7, 2025
