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Senior Ear Problems - Hearing Loss
My Experience With Hearing Loss - E.F. Male Age: 83
My hearing problems began with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis about 15 years ago when I was exposed at close range to a carbon monoxide detector going-off.
My hearing loss began about 10 years ago. At this point I am completely deaf in one ear and have lost a significant amount of my hearing in my other ear especially in the higher ranges. I do wear a hearing aid, though I find it difficult to wear for long periods of time because it increases the effects of my tinnitus and hyperacusis.
The hearing aid does not always work for me. If I'm in a room with a lot of people speaking at the same time I can't hear what the person sitting right next to me is saying. All I hear is the roar of the crowd. My hearing aid works best for me when I am in a room with a few people and they speak one at a time.
Most of my family are soft spoken people which makes it hard for me to hear what they are saying. When they speak at a volume I can hear they feel as though they are shouting and it is uncomfortable for them. To make matters worse, in addition to not hearing, I don't (at times) comprehend what people are saying. Because of this they may have to repeat whatever they are talking about several times and I still may not understand it. This leads to frustration for both them and me.
At times my ears plug-up and sound echo's in my head. The only solution that has worked for me has been to use a Neti pot. I'm not sure why this works, but I do know that your eyes, ears, and nose are connected by your sinuses. If you have this problem, I recommend that you give a try.
Conclusion
Hearing loss affects everyone in the family, not just the person losing their hearing. Patience, understanding, and developing communication techniques the whole family can use is very beneficial for those with hearing loss.