Tips for Caregivers if Your Loved One Has Hearing Loss

The primary responsibility of a caregiver is to ensure the person being cared for is comfortable. It is a critical role that requires patience, experience and knowledge of the person’s situation. Currently, 13% of the population is living with hearing loss. Whether you do or do not know someone who experiences the condition, here are some suggestions for being their caregiver. Hopefully, these points will draw your attention to relevant things you never considered before.

Keep Background Noises to a Minimum

This enhances the performance of these devices and is particularly important if the person wears hearing aids fitted by an audiologist. Background noises can interfere with sound perception, making it difficult for the wearer to understand what was said. More so, first-time wearers need to get used to their hearing aids. The first three to six months are considered the adjustment period. Considering how crucial this period is, caregivers must create an enabling external environment.

Naturally, the human ears can filter background noise, automatically enhancing verbal communication processes. The current hearing aids have features that perform the same job, but older types do not have this technology. An audiologist will best determine the hearing aid model to use. This is why one of your duties as a caregiver is to conduct relevant research on hearing aid types and their distinct features.

The more you know about these devices, the better care you can deliver. Some background noises include loud television, radio and video games. In other circumstances, you may have no control over these sounds. For example, rainstorms or other extreme weather patterns can interfere with the proper perception of sounds, and voices may be distorted in such situations.

However, one critical part of being a caregiver is enhancing communication clarity. This means being creative and proactive, like using face and lip reading. You can do this outside the home and everywhere you have to communicate. Sometimes, people with hearing loss feel more involved in interactions when they can see faces and read lips. Facial expressions, gestures and eye contact play supplementary roles in these situations.

Admittedly, many speech sounds are similar and may cause some confusion for a person with hearing loss. However, your role as a caregiver is to inform the other person to properly enunciate their words. Additionally, sometimes, it is recommended to draw the speaker’s attention to their speech speed. It would be best to advise against exaggerating mouth movements.

Write Down the Specific Information

This is one of the best ways to pass on important information to a person with hearing loss. Admittedly, this is possible only if they can read and write. Written information can be used as a reference for a person with hearing loss. This will eliminate the need to verbally repeat specific information. The tip here is to be succinct. Long-winded sentences increase the chances of missing the main point.

Additionally, writing information may be necessary when certain details are missed during a conversation. Better yet, you can jot down bulleted points to help direct conversations with a person with hearing loss. Through it all, it is vital to be natural with the entire process. It helps to be creative in your caregiver role to encourage active engagement with a person with hearing loss. This can boost confidence and enhance their interest in social activities.

Lastly, it is recommended to attend audiologist appointments with them. It will be an excellent opportunity to learn about hearing loss. Moreover, you can pick salient points to help improve their quality of life.