What Can Older Adults Do to Avoid Noise-Related Hearing Loss?

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Excessive noise is the leading cause of hearing loss, and exposure to noise over the years can accelerate the process. For this reason, seniors and their caregivers should implement the following strategies to avoid noise-induced hearing loss. 

 

Avoid Noisy Venues

Although it’s important for seniors to get out and enjoy life, certain places are known for having noise that exceeds safe levels. For example, concerts, workshops where power equipment is used, and auto races are often too noisy. As a general rule, any venue that requires shouting to be heard over the noise is too loud. If your senior loved one must attend a noisy venue, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones should be worn. 

 

Eliminate Background Noise

Often, noise levels increase when multiple sources of sound are present. A television blaring in the background while a spouse vacuums and grandkids squeal in the living room can add up to dangerous decibel levels. At times, it may be necessary to enforce the need for quiet. Simply turning the television down or off can make a big difference in the amount of noise your loved one is exposed to during the day. 

If your loved one is experiencing hearing loss and could use some extra help at home to remain safe and comfortable, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Milwaukee seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.

 

Keep Exposure to Noise Brief

It’s important to understand that the volume of a noise isn’t the only factor affecting hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to noise can also increase the risk of seniors damaging their hearing. One activity that’s especially risky for hearing is listening to music using headphones for long periods. If your loved one prefers listening to his or her music player, it may be better to avoid headphones and keep the music at a safe volume. 

If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care Milwaukee, a trusted provider of home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

 

Get Regular Checkups

Hearing loss is often progressive, which means the remaining hearing can be preserved if it’s caught early. Seniors should have their hearing checked as part of their regular exams, and it may be necessary to ask for additional testing should they experience signs of hearing trauma, such as ringing in their ears. By staying proactive and taking steps to avoid loud noise whenever possible, seniors can enjoy many years of hearing their favorite sounds. 

Make sure your loved one has the support he or she needs to prevent hearing loss. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Milwaukee families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Assisting Hands Home Care can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (262) 510-0905 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.