Seniors Should Know...

The terms assistive device or assistive technology can refer to any device that helps a person with hearing loss or a voice, speech, or language disorder to communicate. These terms often refer to devices that help a person to hear and understand what is being said more clearly or to express thoughts more easily. With the development of digital and wireless technologies, more and more devices are becoming available to help seniors with hearing, voice, speech, and language disorders communicate more meaningfully and participate more fully in their daily lives.

• New studies show denial of hearing loss is a significant problem among seniors.
• Research shows that hearing tests aren’t even on most seniors’ to-do list.
• The average person has been having trouble hearing for seven to 10 years before they seek treatment.
• National Council on Aging found that those who didn’t use hearing aids were 50 percent more likely to experience depression than people who did wear them.
• When seniors deny they have a hearing loss, they also deny treatment and  deny the  negative effects of hearing loss;  such as: depression, isolation, anger and cognitive decline.
• Reasons why seniors deny hearing loss and don’t seek treatment:
  • They think their hearing is not bad enough to need hearing aids.
  •  They say they hear what they want to hear, and don’t care about the rest.
  • They claim that everyone around them is mumbling.
  • They say it’s normal to lose their hearing. It’s just a part of aging, so “no big deal.”
  • Unlike other health issues it isn’t life threatening, therefore it isn’t important.
  • They see hearing loss as a sign of weakness.
  • They are concerned about looking old.
  • They have come to depend on coping strategies to deal with their hearing loss.
  • They lack trust in the benefit of hearing aids.

Click for more information from the NIDCD