How Hearing Aids Improve Quality of Life for Seniors

1. How Hearing Aids Improve Quality of Life for Seniors? • www.empowerhearing.com.au

2. Introduction • According to recent research done by the Australian Government of Health, one in every six adults over the age of 60 is experiencing some degree of hearing loss in Australia. • If you, your parents, or any other senior you know is facing hearing difficulties, this blog has got you covered. • In this post, we’ll break down the benefits of hearing aids for seniors and explore how they can significantly improve quality of life. So, let’s get started! • www.empowerhearing.com.au

3. What are the benefits of hearing aids for seniors? • What causes hearing loss in seniors? • With age, there are certain changes that take place inside the ear. • The first reason why hearing loss takes place in seniors is that the tiny hair cells inside the cochlea, whose role is to convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain, get damaged, leading to reduced ability to transmit signals. • In addition to this, increased thickness of the eardrum or stiffness in the middle ear bones can also contribute to hearing loss. In some cases, a reduced ability of the auditory nerves to transmit signals may be the cause. • Beyond these, several other factors can play a role in hearing loss, including prolonged noise exposure, underlying medical conditions, side effects of certain medications, and even genetics. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

4. How to identify hearing loss in seniors? A comprehensive hearing assessment is performed before a hearing treatment to precisely diagnose the degree of the hearing loss and give personalised recommendations for effective hearing loss management in seniors. Given below are some of the tests that are known for their accurate results: Pure Tone Audiometry: This test determines the extent and type of hearing loss. It works by determining the softest sound a person can hear at different frequencies. Speech Audiometry: This test is used to measure how well a person understands speech. During the test, the individual is asked to repeat words presented at various volumes and in different listening environments. This helps determine the functional impact of hearing loss on everyday communication. Middle Ear Evaluations: This test is used to assess the condition of the middle ear. It gives a clearer picture of whether there is fluid build-up, eardrum perforations, or issues with the tiny bones in the middle ear that may contribute to hearing loss. If you doubt that one of your parents is dealing with hearing loss, visit Empower Hearing for a hearing test in Canberra. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

5. Why treat hearing loss early? • When it comes to hearing loss in seniors, the earlier it gets treated, the better it is! Given below are some of the reasons why hearing loss should be treated early in seniors- • Untreated hearing loss can result in dementia and cognitive disabilities. • Hearing loss reduce the brain’s ability to process speech, making rehabilitation harder. • Early diagnosis allows timely intervention with hearing aids, wax removal, or medical treatment. • Addressing and treating hearing loss early in seniors helps preserve social engagement, mental health, and safety. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

6. How do hearing aids help seniors with hearing loss? • Amplify and clarify sound Hearing aids help with sound amplification and also filter the background noise from the speech. This helps seniors follow conversations easily and participate without constantly asking people to repeat sentences. • Alleviate Cognitive Load When the brain receives scarce or incomplete auditory information, it has to work harder to fill in the gaps. This increased effort can lead to mental fatigue in seniors, ultimately affecting their quality of life. Since the primary role of hearing aids is to restore auditory input, they enhance processing efficiency and help reduce the brain’s cognitive load. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

7. Benefits of hearing aids for seniors Helps to Communicate Well- Seniors experiencing hearing loss often have a hard time conveying their thoughts and understanding others. Hearing aids empower them by providing amplified and filtered sounds, helping them communicate well with others. Gives a Chance to Socialize- Seniors due to their hearing loss, often shy away from socializing or making new friends. Hearing aids by enhancing their hearing abilities, open pathways to socialization, giving them a chance to openly interact with others. Enhances Safety and Fosters Independence- Deprived hearing abilities aren’t just bad for communication, but also impact safety. Imagine a vehicle continuously honking, yet a senior is unable to hear it due to hearing loss. This is a massive threat to their safety. Also, the loved ones of seniors often need to accompany them due to their inability to hear, increasing their dependency on others. However, with the help of hearing aids, seniors gain the freedom to travel and explore independently, at their own convenience. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

8. Improves Overall Health- Hearing aids improve the overall health of seniors in a variety of ways. From slowing down cognitive decline and reducing the risk of dementia, to improving balance and reducing the likelihood of falls, better hearing leads to a better quality of life. Offers Tinnitus Relief: Tinnitus is the ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears that nobody else hears. This is often one of the major reasons behind hearing loss in seniors. Today’s hearing aids come with special masking features that block these sounds, thereby reducing the intensity of hearing loss. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

9. Empowering Seniors with Hearing Loss: Best Audiologists in Canberra At Empower Hearing, our audiologists in Canberra are dedicated to offering compassionate care to seniors dealing with hearing loss. From performing diagnostic tests and removing earwax to recommending hearing aids or referring to GPs/ENTs, we help patients access complete, personalised solutions. Through our services and treatment options, our goal is not only to improve their hearing ability but also to improve the overall quality of their life as well as give them a chance to reconnect with the world around them. • www.empowerhearing.com.au

10. Conclusion With hearing loss becoming a common condition in Australia among seniors, turning to hearing aids in a timely manner can work towards increasing their overall safety and well-being. If you see a senior struggling with hearing loss and seeking the benefits of hearing aids, look no further than Empower Hearing. Our expert team of audiologists, ENTs, and GPs can help determine the root cause of the hearing problem through comprehensive hearing assessments and then recommend the most effective treatment plan, whether it’s hearing aids, medical intervention, or lifestyle adjustments to improve overall quality of life.

11. Contact Us • (02) 61898424 • info@empowerhearing.com.au • www.empowerhearing.com.au