Regarding the article on family stress and hearing loss (Page 1, Dec. 26), our research has confirmed that communication problems resulting from acquired hearing loss have far-reaching consequences potentially affecting an individual’s personal and mental health, and creating strained interpersonal relationships.
Common signs of hearing loss among older adults include:
– Hearing but not understanding.
– Frequently asking others to repeat.
– Others accuse you of not paying attention.
– Others complain your TV is too loud.
– Understanding speech is difficult at a distance or when there is background noise.
Common solutions to hearing loss-related communication problems include:
– Converse in quiet, well-lighted places.
– Let others know when you have trouble understanding.
– Maintain face-to-face communication.
– Learn to read facial expressions and body language.
– Anticipate the topic of conversation.
– Keep informed of world events.
Programs in hearing-loss management are available at the Northwestern University Hearing Clinic, Chicago Hearing Society and other Chicago-area university programs and otologic/audiologic clinics.
