{"id":33959,"date":"2016-08-04T13:32:11","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T18:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=33959"},"modified":"2016-08-04T13:32:11","modified_gmt":"2016-08-04T18:32:11","slug":"5-tips-for-alzheimers-patients-with-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2016\/08\/04\/5-tips-for-alzheimers-patients-with-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Alzheimer’s Patients with Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"hearing<\/a>

Photo via Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

5 Tips for Alzheimer’s Patients with Hearing Loss<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we learn of the connection<\/a> between hearing loss and cognitive disorders, it\u2019s now more important than ever to do whatever it takes to stop hearing loss in its tracks. Taking a few extra steps to protect your ears can help slow hearing loss related to cognitive disorders.<\/p>\n

1. Avoid Loud Noise<\/strong><\/p>\n

Avoid noisy public places like concerts, bars, and sporting events. Be careful when choosing a movie theater to go to, as the volume in some theaters is louder than others. Be mindful of the volume of your music and TV. It\u2019s also wise to invest in protective ear gear like noise-canceling headphones or ear plugs, so if things ever get a bit loud, you\u2019ll be ready for it.<\/p>\n

2. Get Regular Hearing Exams<\/strong><\/p>\n

You should take a hearing exam as soon as possible, no matter how slight your hearing loss may seem. Doing so will give you and your doctor a baseline measurement of your hearing abilities to compare future exam results to.<\/p>\n

Know the signs of hearing loss<\/a> and seek corrective treatment as soon as you start to notice them. Be specific when communicating the nature of your hearing loss to your doctor, as its symptoms are similar to symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s. Their interrelatedness could be relevant when exploring your treatment options.<\/p>\n

3. Be Mindful of Oral Hygiene<\/strong><\/p>\n

Poor oral hygiene<\/a> can actually cause an inflammation of arteries and blood vessels essential for hearing. If you\u2019re the caregiver of someone with Alzheimer\u2019s, be sure to help them stay on top of daily brushing and flossing. It\u2019s possible they may need extra help with the motor skills required to brush or, if they\u2019re also suffering from dementia, even remembering exactly how to brush. You can assist by putting your hand over theirs to help with the motions or pantomiming the gesture as a gentle reminder.<\/p>\n

4. Make Interacting with Others a Priority<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re experiencing hearing loss, it\u2019s likely that communication has become increasingly difficult for you. But isolating yourself and avoiding interactions with other people is not the answer. Communication with other people is critical for your cognitive development, so you\u2019ll have to make an extra effort to engage yourself in conversation with others. While it may be difficult at first, learning a few communication strategies<\/a> specifically for people with hearing loss can make conversing much smoother.<\/p>\n

5. Consider Getting Assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

There may come a time when you simply require extra care to get through the day, and that\u2019s ok. There are many different forms of caregiving assistance<\/a> for people with Alzheimer\u2019s that will be a good fit for someone who\u2019s also experiencing hearing loss. Take some time, now, to learn about these options so that you\u2019ll have the help you need as your Alzheimer\u2019s and hearing loss progress.<\/p>\n

Another great assistance option is a service dog. Of course, service dogs are frequently used to assist people who are visually impaired. But now they\u2019re also being trained to assist people with Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia. Having a service dog can be an especially wonderful safety precaution for a person who also has hearing loss. Service dogs can be trained to wake their humans up in the morning, alert them to danger, and prevent them from leaving the premises. The added bonus is that they also provide comfort and companionship, which can be a great benefit for anyone who\u2019s feeling increasingly isolated as a result of their Alzheimer\u2019s or hearing loss.<\/p>\n

Making an effort to slow your hearing loss is crucial for maintaining your cognitive ability. Accepting your hearing loss and learning to live with it might be the easier option, but it\u2019s not the answer. Take a few extra steps to mitigate your hearing loss and enjoy a greater quality of life because of it.<\/p>\n

Jim Vogel and his wife, Caroline, created ElderAction.org<\/a> after they began caring for their ailing parents. Through that rewarding and sometimes difficult process they\u2019ve learned a lot about senior care and specifically the need for more effective senior mental health and support. Their site offers elder-positive resources and other helpful information on aging. In his spare time, Jim loves fishing, reading, and spending time with his kids.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

5 Tips for Alzheimer’s Patients with Hearing Loss As we learn of the connection between hearing loss and cognitive disorders, it\u2019s now more important than ever to do whatever it takes to stop hearing loss in its tracks. Taking a…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[3106,24,25096,25097,153,25094,1245,25098,16575,25095],"class_list":["post-33959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-alzheimer","tag-deaf","tag-dementia","tag-elder","tag-hearing-aid","tag-hearing-exam","tag-hearing-loss","tag-jim-vogel","tag-loud","tag-oral-hygiene"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-8PJ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19361,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2012\/07\/22\/how-nutrition-can-prevent-hearing-loss-and-restore-health\/","url_meta":{"origin":33959,"position":0},"title":"How Nutrition Can Prevent Hearing Loss and Restore Health","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"July 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"How Nutrition Can Prevent Hearing Loss and Restore Health Hearing loss affects 37 million people in America. 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