What impact can hearing loss have on an older persons life?
People with hearing loss have trouble fully participating in everyday life. They may mistake words in a conversation, miss directions or warnings, or leave a ringing doorbell unanswered. Older people who can’t hear well may become depressed or withdraw from others to avoid feeling frustrated or embarrassed about not understanding what is being said. They may become suspicious of relatives or friends who they believe “mumble” or “don’t speak up” on purpose. Hearing loss can cause older people to become more isolated and can even put them in harm’s way if they are unable to respond to warnings or hear sounds of impending danger. It is easy to mistakenly call older people confused, unresponsive, or uncooperative just because they don’t hear well.
