While hearing loss can affect anyone at any age, it most commonly affects older people. According to one estimate, “70% to 90% of elderly residents in long-term care facilities have some degree of hearing impairment.”
Despite how common hearing loss is for elderly people who live in nursing homes, many workers don’t know how to help care for their hearing aids. In one study, researchers asked long-term care facility workers about this, and “73% of informants found that many residents need help with their hearing aids. Only one-tenth report that they know enough about the residents’ hearing aids.”
It’s clear that people with hearing loss who live in Oasis need support from their loved ones in order to care for their hearing aids. We review how to help below.
Label Their Hearing Aids
Something you can do to help prevent the loss of your loved one’s hearing aids is labeling them with their name or initials using a permanent marker. If you do this and the hearing aids are accidentally picked up during a bedding change or room clean, they can easily be returned to the right person.
Purchase a Lanyard/Clip
Hearing aid lanyards/clips attach your loved one’s hearing aids to their clothing, so if they fall out, they won’t drop to the floor where they can be lost or stepped on.
Demonstrate Nightly Cleanings
If your loved one can’t perform their own nightly cleaning of their devices, then someone on staff who works the night shift should know how to do it. First, the hearing aid should be wiped off with a soft, dry cloth. Then, any stubborn debris should be removed using a wax pick/wire loop.
Establish Nighttime Storage
Your loved one should easily be able to find their hearing aids in the morning so they can put them in right away. Have your loved one choose a convenient location near their bed and put them in a storage case there each night. This is especially important for rechargeable hearing aids, which need to be docked all night long in order to provide a full day of hearing.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Tinnitus & Hearing Experts today.