The Well-Hearing is Well-Being movement is trademarked by Phonak Pro, the largest manufacturer and distributor of hearing aids in the country. This program aims to provide effective, accessible hearing care to the elderly in an effort to improve their psychological, physiological, and socio-emotional well-being. Hence, the name Well-Hearing is Well-Being.
Hearing impairment among the elderly is a serious issue that, unfortunately, often goes unaddressed. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that 36 million older adults (one in three people over 65) suffer from hearing impairment. Sadly, only 20% of this population actively seeks professional medical assistance.
This alarming increase in seniors who forsake proper hearing care is what pushed Phonak Pro to execute their Well-Hearing is Well-Being movement. The company states that ear health primarily affects the following aspects of one’s life:
Many seniors shy from social events because of their hearing impairment. Considering they can only detect and understand certain speech sounds if specific conditions are met, they would rather avoid interacting with others in the first place. This isolation may later lead to loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
Does age-related sensory input reduction (e.g., loss of hearing, sight) hamper one’s cognitive abilities? Hearing loss does not directly decrease critical thinking and cognitive function. However, being unable to detect sounds properly forces the brain to work overtime and perform multiple functions simultaneously—thus, hampering cognitive abilities.
A common misconception is that ear health has no bearing on one’s physical well-being. On the contrary, there are studies to support claims that poor hearing can drastically reduce one’s coordination and balance, which are very important in performing various sporting activities.
That being said, seniors suffering from age-related hearing loss are advised to look into hearing aids. Go for durable, waterproof options that can withstand intense movements.
Helping a senior loved one cope with age-related hearing loss can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, we have multiple resources to help readers understand the best ways to support hearing health in old age. Reach out to the Senior Strong team today!
Losing your hearing as you grow older can be terrifying. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to combat the effects and symptoms of hearing impairment, these include:
The best, most efficient way to alleviate the effects of hearing impairment is by wearing hearing aids. These are audiological devices that help patients pick up and detect various sounds. You can have them prescribed to you by an audiologist or buy one yourself—if you already know what type of device you need.
Make sure to explore all the available hearing aids on the market. Options range from large, behind-the-ear (BTE) aids with excellent input pickup range to small in-the-canal (ITC) devices that always stay hidden.
Chronic exposure to loud sounds is one of the main causes of hearing loss. In fact, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that an average of 300,000 veterans suffer from audiological complications such as tinnitus and hearing loss annually. This is primarily the result of long-term exposure to gun shots, bomb explosions, and plane motor noises.
Ear wax buildup and untreated ear infections can lead to hearing impairment in the long run. The best approach here is to treat them as early as possible. Have your audiologist address the root cause of the issue to reduce the risk of the same infections happening again.
Also, don’t let infections go unchecked for more than one or two days. Not only will doing so increase the chances of long-term hearing impairment, but bear in mind that wax and puss buildups are extremely unhygienic as well.
The Well-Hearing is Well-Being program by Phonak Pro focuses on improving senior patients’ physical, social-emotional, and cognitive quality of life through high-grade, accessible audiological solutions.
Statistics show that one in three people from 65 to 74 suffer from age-related hearing loss. Check out this helpful resource where the National Institute on Aging addresses the common causes, symptoms, and treatments for these types of audiological complications.
Modern-day hearing aids are amazing pieces of technology that allow one to better perceive various sounds, but it would be best if you could avoid the deterioration of your ear health in the first place. As the old adage goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Overall, the key to combating the effects and symptoms of age-related hearing impairment is consistent ear and hearing maintenance. Regularly clean your ears, avoid noisy environments, and wear ear protection.
Make sure to consult with a professional audiologist if you feel there’s something wrong with your hearing. Don’t self-diagnose. Only a trained, licensed medical professional can accurately diagnose your hearing condition and prescribe the best, most efficient solutions.
The phrase "Well-Hearing is Well-Being" emphasizes the significance of good hearing health for overall wellness, including mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Good hearing enhances communication, social interaction, and safety, and reduces the risk of cognitive decline, promoting overall quality of life.
Regular hearing check-ups, protecting ears from loud noises, and prompt treatment of any hearing issues can help maintain good hearing health.
Improving a senior loved one’s quality of life goes beyond hearing aids. Senior Strong has multiple resources on what products, treatments, and programs can help the elderly live as comfortably as possible. Take a look at the rest of our resources today!
