Not Treating Hearing Loss Decreases Quality of Life, Increases Dementia Risk
Dear Carol: Why are older adults resistant to wearing hearing aids? My husband has gotten so hard of hearing that I must act as an interpreter. He wears glasses and thinks nothing of it, but he won’t consider a hearing aid. He says that he has friends who’ve spent thousands on fancy aids but don’t wear them because they’re annoying. I’ve explained that they take time to get used to and, while not perfect, they increase people’s quality of life. I believe he thinks that wearing hearing aids will make him appear old, but we all age and need to make adjustments. Do you have an argument that will convince him to see an audiologist and get the process started? Thank you! – FG
Dear FG: National Audiology Awareness Month is observed every October, so thank you for giving me a chance to promote it. Your husband needs to be gently educated about the risk he is taking by ignoring his hearing loss out of vanity. Sensory input…
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