Discomfort. Expense. Strange sounds. Vanity attack

.…And we wonder why older people resist hearing aids–or put them in a drawer. Is it because they are too expensive to throw out or because they are reminders of aging and thus too difficult and depressing to have to deal with?

Which-ever. The bottom line: people who aren’t hearing well– are missing out. Yes, if our parents have hearing loss, of course we know that. We know they may be at a disadvantage but did we realize:

• they may feel self-conscious about asking people to repeat or
  
• about not responding appropriately to what has been said…a joke, for instance
• they seem more likely to put up with hearing loss than people who have vision problems

When we think about M’s experiences in last Saturday’s post, many of us can no doubt empathize.

“Better Hearing Month.”

To help aging parents who may be experiencing hearing loss or hearing aid frustration, check out “Hearing Loss Isn’t Just an ‘Old’ Thing” and “Hearing aids still considered an old people thing.” They augment the preceding “Hearing Loss” posts, providing additional understanding and information. And since May is “Better Hearing Month” there is more information than usual  “out there.” Initially I planned to link to “Hearing Well in a Noisy World,” Consumer Reports July 2009, and tried to do that…It’s good!  But since I’m away from my own computer as I write this, I may be unsuccessful  (oops, failed). You can no doubt search and find the 2009 article as well as other timely articles because…..it’s May!

Reading these articles only supports and reconfirms M’s experiences and suggestions; and hopefully gives us more ammunition to help our parents age well. Aren’t we fortunate to have M as an advisor!