As we get older, it is inevitable that our body changes and affects our ability to function as we used to. This can be extremely scary, especially when it affects the different senses that control the way we communicate with others.
Hearing loss in particular can be a very overwhelming and isolating experience. Especially because in most elderly, hearing loss may present itself as a slow decline and limit someone’s ability to catch the signs and prevent it in time. Understanding how to prevent hearing loss in elderly loved ones necessitates learning what causes hearing loss in the first place.
Two Common Reasons Why Hearing Loss Occurs
Hearing loss can occur in any age group and for many reasons. Aside from chronic illnesses and diseases that affect the ear, the two most common reasons are due to noise in the environment and age.
Living or working in an environment where there is constantly a lot of loud noises can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. This is due to the structures present in your inner ear being damaged due to high frequency or high-volume noise. In order to hear, there are tiny hair cells that vibrate when sound enters the ear and when these hair cells are damaged, that is when hearing loss occurs.
The second most common reason is simply due to age. As we grow older, the tiny hair cells that are mentioned before can also break down. This process is slow, but over time, due to the lowered number of hair cells, our ears can no longer pick up sound vibrations as they used to leading to hearing loss.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss from Occurring?
There are ways to prevent hearing loss from occurring. Some of them are:
- Avoid Places Where There Is Too much Noise
This does not mean that you have to hide behind soundproof walls at home to preserve your sense of hearing, it just means that everyone needs to be more conscious of the volume of noise around you. A good gauge is that if you have to be shouting to be heard by those around you, chances are the noise environment is capable of damaging your hearing.
- Reduce the Amount of Noise In Your Life
This can take place through a series of decisions. When looking for sound devices or appliances, choose those that rate lower in terms of noise production. If the volume in a restaurant, movie theatre, or any other public place is too loud, consider moving away or asking the management of that area to turn down the volume. Lastly, the best way is also to carry around hearing protection aids such as earplugs or earmuffs. You can use them separately, or together for greater sound isolation.
- Limit Loud Sounds In Your Life
If you are simply unable to stop the noise around you, it is best to find ways to limit their occurrence in your life. These can be through adopting simple changes such as choosing to take a different route, or a major adjustment such as moving to a senior living community that can better accommodate your needs.
If you think that you are suffering from hearing loss and need more assistance with your day-to-day activities, consider Rittenhouse Village At Portage. We have a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to making sure you have all you need in life without worry or fuss. To find out more about our amenities or what we can do for you, contact us today.
