Good home-based senior services in Brookline and Boston MA can be difficult to find

Home-based senior services: how to communicate with a loved one who is hard of hearing

Home-based senior services in Brookline and the Boston MA area can be difficult and sometimes even frustrating when trying to communicate effectively with someone suffering from hearing loss. Seniors can experience a terrible toll on their quality of life due to feeling isolated and withdrawn from social situations when experience hearing impairment from aging.

Many seniors who are experiencing hearing loss benefit from the use of assistive devices such as hearing aids, however, not every type of hearing loss will have the same results from this type of treatment. Fortunately, there are ways to help improve the performance of listening and hearing through the use of proper techniques for communication.

Communication isn’t always easier when hearing loss is less severe

It isn’t necessarily easier to communicate with someone who is experiencing a mild hearing loss. As a matter of fact, this can be harder if the family members have higher expectations that are along the lines of, “Well, they can still hear well enough. So, I don’t have to do anything differently.”

Also, it can be easy to assume that having a cochlear implant or wearing a hearing aid is a cure, but they are not. This can be especially true when in a group having a conversation in a place where there is a lot of background noise.

The best way to determine how to communicate with an older loved one is to understand that each situation and person is unique and a teamwork approach will work. Ask your loved one what is their preferred way to communicate. What will be the most effective, easiest way? If their hearing loss is recent, it may be frightening for them and they may not know which form of communication works best for them, just do your best to let them know that’s ok and be patient.

Tips that you can try together

There is a lot that can be done when you have a loved one to help them communicate, such as:

• Reduce background noise
  If possible, try to choose a quiet location to have your conversations. Turn off the music or TV. Move away from others who are having their own conversations. It can even be difficult to make out speech when there is rustling paper or a dishwasher running nearby.

• Get their attention before starting a conversation
  Try to catch their eye or give their shoulder or hand a gentle touch.

• Face them before speaking
  Facial expressions, lip movements, and gestures can give a lot of information. Avoid turning away or covering your mouth when speaking with them. 

Home-based senior services in Brookline and Boston MA

Home-based senior services for senior family members are possible, however, at the same time, it can appear overwhelming. If you have a loved one that you believe has a worsening or new hearing problem, suggest that they visit their doctor to test their hearing, offer solutions, and suggest techniques to communicate better in order to help them navigate their social situations and keep their normal quality of life.

TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local company, with service areas in Boston Metro, Metro West, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, and Needham. Contact us today to get started.

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