DEALING WITH VISION AND HEARING LOSS
February 4th, 2019
While vision and hearing loss especially both together can be viewed as one of the unkindest cuts of all in life, the elderly can attempt to mitigate the effects of aging on their hearing and sight by accepting the kindness of caregivers and, more importantly, being kinder to themselves. In other words, there are early warning signs to look for, preventive measures to take, and even things that can be done to improve ones sight and hearing whether youre doing those things on your own, or with the assistance of a loved one.
And, should the worst-case scenario pan out and mom or dad, grandma or grandpa, suffer a partial or full loss of two of their most important senses, perhaps you should remember Mark Twains wise words: Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
PREVENTIVE VISION AND HEARING HEALTH TIPS
Hearing loss mostly untreated or undertreated afflicts nearly two-thirds of adults over 70. Both vision and hearing impairment occur in one person in nine age 80 and older. And with recent studies revealing a cause-and-effect relationship between uncorrected deficits in vision and hearing and accelerated cognitive decline, it has become more important than ever to take preventive measures to protect and preserve proper eye and ear functioning.
Ways to Prevent Vision Loss
*Have a regular comprehensive dilated eye exam
*Eat a balanced diet that includes dark, leafy greens and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.
*Maintain a healthy weight
*Keep diabetes under control
*Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors.
*Do not smoke
Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss
*Minimize exposure to loud, persistent noises
*Never listen to music through headphones or earbuds with the volume all the way up
*Wear earplugs or protective earmuffs during any activity with exposures to noise at or above 85 decibels
*Schedule a baseline hearing test to find out if you already have some hearing loss
HOW TO KNOW WHEN GLASSES OR HEARING AIDS ARE NEEDED
Vision and hearing both change over time, so its important to not only practice the preventive measures just mentioned but also to notice the warning signs of vision and hearing deterioration. As a caregiver, if you notice any of these common warning signs (below) in your loved one, schedule an appointment on their behalf with a qualified vision or hearing professional (or better yet, schedule regular yearly appointments with an ophthalmologist and audiologist).
Common Signs That You May Need Glasses
- Frequent squinting
- Eye fatigue or strain
- Frequent headaches
- Blurred vision
- Seeing halos around light
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Reading with a book near their face or at arms length
- Losing their place or finger pointing while reading
- Closing or covering one eye to watch TV
- Difficulty seeing at night
Common Signs That You May Need a Hearing Aid
- Trouble hearing on the telephone
- Difficulty following a conversation when multiple people are involved
- Complaints from family (or a neighbor) about TV or music volume
- Straining to hear conversations
- Trouble hearing in noisy environments
- Saying the word What? a lot
- Difficulty understanding what people say
- Frequently misunderstanding what people say
- Trouble hearing higher frequency sounds or voices
- Annoyance or frustration during conversations