Health Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing Offer Resources, Support for Seniors with Hearing Loss

By Sherri Collins

Most of us know someone who has hearing loss. Some of you may be experiencing hearing loss yourself. Oftentimes people dismiss signs of hearing loss as “no big deal.” In reality, hearing loss is a very big deal. Hearing loss can impact all the areas of your life, including relationships, health, and safety. It can also be linked to depression and memory loss, an early indicator of dementia.

While the likelihood of developing dementia exists, there are ways to prevent hearing loss:

• Protect your ears. Keep music or TV volumes low, especially when you are wearing headphones. If you have headphones on and someone else can hear your music, the volume is too high.

• Don’t ignore your hearing loss. If you are experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, see a hearing healthcare professional right away to start combating the symptoms.

• Tackle the hearing loss head on. Don’t assume hearing loss will go away on its own. It won’t. The sooner you get assistance with your hearing loss, the more likely you are to possibly prevent early dementia.

• Utilize technology. If you have a hearing aid, wear it as much as possible. You can also consider other hearing interventions including cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, amplified telephones, or captioning.

Access To Resources

As you begin to age, access to valuable resources is critically important. However,