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Recognising hearing loss in someone you love
Do you have a family member that is being left out of conversations because of their hearing loss? When you meet with family or friends, perhaps your parent or spouse doesn’t join in as much as they used to. They may seem withdrawn or frustrated … having to repeatedly ask people to talk clearer or louder.
These may be normal reactions to the feeling of isolation caused by hearing loss.
How hearing loss affects health
Did you know that, if left untreated, hearing loss is associated with other health issues, such as cognitive decline1, depression2-3and falls5. That is why it is so important that you don’t ignore or dismiss hearing loss in someone that is close to you.
People believe hearing loss can…
Some common signs of hearing loss in adults:
- Difficulty hearing over the telephone or reluctance to use the telephone
- Finding it hard to follow a conversation with more than one person
- Turning the TV volume up higher than other people in the room prefer
- Relying on lip reading, especially in noisy environments
For most people, hearing naturally declines with age and often very gradually so that it is often more noticeable to family and friends than to the person who is affected. The question is, what can you do to help?
Living life to the full with a hearing implant: discover Tim and Lyn Jones story
When to consider a hearing implant for your loved one
Does your family member complain about their hearing aids? Maybe they don’t work as well as they used to? If someone you care about tells you they cannot hear clearly even with their hearing aids, it’s time to think about different options. A hearing implant could be the right solution.
Free Information Pack
Request a free information pack and learn about how hearing implants may help your loved one when hearing aids are no longer enough.
How to help a loved one with hearing loss
Ask them to take the hearing quiz below and talk to their doctor or audiologist to find out if a hearing implant could be the right solution for them.
Common questions at this point
Some questions we are commonly asked at this point are addressed below. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have further questions.
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Step 1: What ages are suitable for a cochlear implant?
Age is no barrier if the medical and personal requirements are met. This can be clarified in the preliminary assessment by your health care professional.
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Step 2: How much does it cost?
Cochlear implants are usually available through the NHS in the UK for people whose hearing levels are within the specified criteria.
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Step 3: Do we need to see a specialist?
Not all clinics can provide hearing implants. Find a local hearing implant clinic.
REFERENCES
- Livingston G, Sommerlad A, Orgeta V, Costafreda S, Huntley J, Mukadam N, et al. The Lancet Commissions: Dementia prevention, intervention, and care.
The Lancet [serial on the Internet]. (2017, Dec 16); 3902673-2734. - Hsu W, Hsu C, Wen M, Lin H, Tsai H, Hsu Y, et al. Increased risk of depression in patients with acquired sensory hearing loss: A 12-year follow-up study.
Medicine [serial on the Internet]. (2016, Nov); 95(44): e5312. - Barnett S. A hearing problem. American Family Physician [serial on the Internet]. (2002, Sep 1); 66(5): 911.
- The State of Hearing Report, conducted by Edelman for Cochlear, December 2018
- Stam M, Kostense P, Lemke U, Merkus P, Smit J, Kramer S, et al. Comorbidity in adults with hearing difficulties: which chronic medical conditions are related to hearing impairment? International Journal Of Audiology [serial on the Internet]. (2014, June); 53(6): 392-401.
