Beyond Shouting: 
A Guide to Connecting with Hard-of-Hearing Seniors

It can be a lonely feeling when the world starts to sound muffled.

Here is what you need to know about hearing loss, protecting your ears, and helping your seniors stay connected.

First off, bless her for not wanting to learn sign language. It is hard to learn new tricks at our age! You don't need to force that on him. Here are some practical ways to help him hear you better without frustration:

1.  Cut the Clutter: We can't filter out background noise like we used to. If the TV is on or the dishwasher is running, turn them off or move to a quiet room before talking.

2.  Face Her: Don't talk to him from the other room or while looking at your phone. Look him right in the eye. We rely a lot on reading lips and facial expressions to fill in the blanks.

3.  Don't Shout, Just Enunciate: Shouting actually distorts the sound and makes you look angry. Just speak a little slower and pronounce your words clearly.

4.  Rephrase, Don't Repeat: If he didn't catch it the first time, saying the exact same thing louder usually doesn't help. Try saying it in a different way.

Alternatives to Sign Language

Since she/he doesn't want to learn signs, technology is his best friend:

Captioning: Use the closed captions on the TV. There are also wonderful apps for smartphones now that transcribe what you say in real-time so he can read it.

Assistive Listening Devices: There are special headphones he can wear to watch TV so he can have the volume as loud as he likes without blowing everyone else out of the room.

The Old Fashioned Way: Keep a notepad and a thick marker handy. If you hit a wall, write it down.

Why does this happen to us? Well, it's usually a mix of things:

Presbycusis (Age-related): This is just the wear and tear of time. The tiny hair cells in our inner ear that pick up sound eventually get worn down and don't grow back.

Noise Exposure: All those years of loud machinery, concerts, or even lawnmowers add up.

Earwax Blockage: Sometimes it's as simple as a buildup of wax!

Health Issues: High blood pressure, diabetes, or certain medications can affect hearing.

Can Hearing Be Improved?

To be honest with you, if the hearing loss is caused by nerve damage (which is common in seniors), it cannot be "cured" or naturally reversed. Those nerves are gone.

However, if the loss is "conductive"—meaning something is blocking the sound, like wax or fluid—a doctor can fix that easily. That is why the first step is always to get him to an audiologist or an ENT doctor.

Good Types of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids have come a long way since the big, whistling beige bananas people used to wear. Here are the main types:

Behind-the-Ear (BTE): These are sturdy and easy to handle for those of us with stiff fingers. They sit behind the ear with a tube going into the ear canal.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): These are very popular. They are smaller than BTEs and very discreet.

In-the-Ear (ITE) or In-the-Canal (ITC):  These fit entirely inside the ear. They are less visible, but can be harder to adjust if you have trouble with dexterity.

Protecting Your Hearing
(So You Don't End Up Like Us!)

You are young, so take care of your ears now. Once that hearing is gone, it's gone for good.

1.  Turn Down the Music: If you use earbuds, follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

2.  Wear Protection: If you go to a concert, use power tools, or mow the lawn, wear earplugs. It might not look "cool," but neither does saying "What?" every five seconds when you're older.

3.  Give Your Ears a Rest: If you've been in a loud environment, give your ears a quiet break for a day to recover.

I hope this helps you and your family. Be patient with them; it's frustrating to feel like you're losing connection with the people you love. A little patience goes a long way.

Please share your thoughts and any response you may have in the form below.

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