Today’s hearing fact from the renowned Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology calls attention to a startling reality that is important to keep top-of-mind as we age: Age-related hearing loss can decrease the ability to perform daily living tasks without assistance from others.
Perhaps this fact may come as no surprise, since numerous different studies have shown that hearing health can have a direct impact on our overall health—both mentally and physically. But how severe would a hearing loss need to be to reduce the capability to perform everyday tasks? And what types of daily responsibilities may be affected?
We did some digging and uncovered a study that not only answers these questions but also reconfirms the message behind today’s hearing fact. Let’s explore it, now.
Study examined hearing loss severity and activity limitations
During this Australia-based study, researchers measured the hearing levels of 1,952 adults over 60 years of age, while administering questions regarding the participants’ functional status.
The findings
The study found a correlation between the severity of hearing loss and the ability to participate in “routine” activities of daily life: Older adults who had a higher degree of hearing loss had a greater likelihood of difficulty completing routine tasks including shopping for necessities, making meals, and performing household chores, along with self-care tasks such as personal hygiene/grooming, dressing, toileting, walking, and getting in and out of bed.
The researchers specified the following possible reasons:
- Difficulty with balance, as a result of the hearing loss interfering with mobility.
- Reduced ability to hear auditory cues in listening environments, impacting spatial awareness and causing uncertainty and difficulty functioning.
- Communication issues, which would affect necessary tasks such as grocery shopping or using the phone. (With regards to communication issues, researchers added that wearing hearing aids has been shown to “improve the ability to communicate and, thus, to improve quality of life and prevent social isolation and hearing-related depression.”)
The study concluded that, for older adults, the presence of a moderate to severe hearing loss “could make the difference between independence and the need for formal support services or placement.”
The researchers further confirmed that hearing loss is "associated with poorer health outcomes” and highlights “the need for effective aural rehabilitation to preserve functional independence in daily life.”
What is aural rehabilitation? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines “aural rehabilitation” as the assessment and management of adult hearing loss.
According to the American Academy of Audiology, this process begins with visiting a licensed hearing care professional, who will evaluate the hearing loss and customize a plan that may include wearing hearing aids; doing training exercises to improve speech understanding; practicing communication strategies; and receiving counseling to manage the mental impact of hearing loss.
Today’s hearing technology exceeds to uphold wearers’ independence
Wearing hearing aids, if recommended by a professional, can be an effective solution for treating age-related hearing loss before it can impede on our daily autonomy.
The latest hearing technology is not only designed to help wearers hear and communicate better (even when background noise is present) and increase awareness of their listening environment—but also assist with functional independence, specifically. It’s as simple as pairing today’s cutting-edge hearing aids with the Hear Share app.
The Hear Share app allows hearing aid wearers to share progress of their hearing aid usage, physical activity (like exercise), social engagement, and/or overall wellness with important people in their lives—such as family, friends, or caregivers. The information they choose to share and the people they share it with, are completely their choice.
Hear Share benefits everyone by:
- Helping hearing aid wearers maintain independence
Sharing key wellness information and progress allows wearers to maintain their autonomy with comfort in knowing their closest connections are aware of their progress and well-being. - Providing peace of mind for everyone
Even the busiest family members and care providers can relax, knowing they can stay informed of the hearing aid wearer’s safety, social and health situation—while supporting them in reaching their daily social and physical activity goals. - Keeping loneliness and isolation in check
The ability to track time spent listening and conversing allows caregivers to proactively help wearers avoid future health issues linked to social isolation.
Moreover, Hear Share is easier than ever to set up. The hearing aid wearer simply chooses the information they would like to share, invites their caregiver to the Hear Share app, and the caregiver accepts. From there, let the sharing begin.
Healthy aging starts with healthy hearing
With our overall health and independence at stake as we age, it’s important to have our hearing evaluated by a licensed hearing care professional every three years once we’re 50 (or sooner, as needed), according to experts. And if hearing aids are recommended, we can enjoy peace of mind in knowing our future autonomy is in great hands—thanks to today’s innovative hearing technology.