Daniel C.
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Verified by
Saskia H.
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Last updated:
July 14, 2024
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(0)
It’s natural for our hearing to deteriorate as we age. In fact, around half of seniors over 75 have difficulty hearing. There are two main categories of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves can’t reach the inner ear due to earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum. In this case, medical treatment often solves the problem. Meanwhile, sensorineural hearing loss happens when the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged and is usually permanent.
Some of the main reasons for hearing loss include prolonged exposure to excessive noise, genetics, certain medical conditions – such as diabetes or high blood pressure – and some types of medication. It’s important to know whether your loved one suffers from hearing loss, as it can heavily impact their quality of life and lead to social isolation, depression, or a higher risk of falling.
Since age-related hearing loss (also called presbycusis) happens gradually, most people don’t realize they’re having difficulties hearing. This only makes things worse, as the more time you spend without treatment, the more your hearing deteriorates.
People who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease have a higher chance of developing hearing loss – the same goes for those whose parents had these health issues. In these cases, it’s best to go for a yearly checkup to make sure the condition is caught early.
Whatever your case may be, make sure to keep an eye on the following symptoms:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s highly recommended that you make an appointment with a hearing healthcare professional. They’ll be able to evaluate how extensive your hearing loss is and prescribe the best treatment. Depending on the gravity of your case, you’ll need a different device. For example, cochlear implants are required for more severe situations, whereas hearing aids should be used by seniors with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
The rechargeable Banglijian Hearing Amplifier comes with a portable charging case that can be easily carried around. The hearing aid’s battery lasts for 15 hours, and the charging case has enough power to charge the pair up to five times. It features an intelligent environmental noise reduction chip, which provides clear and natural sound. Additionally, the user can choose from eight volume levels and two programs – one for full frequency enhancement and another for high-frequency compensation. As well as the charging box, you’ll also get various ear domes, two sound tubes, and a cleaning brush – all for $139.98. You can try out the device by taking advantage of the 45-day money-back guarantee, and the company offers a warranty of 18 months, which includes free repairs and replacements.
The hearing aids from Onebridge have a slick and discreet design that makes them look like wireless earbuds, which you can get either in black or white. By combining an adjustable amplification mode with active noise reduction, these hearing aids offer a clear listening experience without causing transmission loss. Plus, they’re small, comfortable to wear, and extremely easy to use, as you only need to press one button to turn off the device and toggle between six volume levels. The $79.99 price tag provides not only the earbuds but also a wide variety of accessories. You also get a portable charging box, which needs two hours to fully charge the hearing aids, three different sizes of earplugs, a cleaning brush and stick, and a USB charging cable. The battery lasts for 12 hours.
The Enjoyee Hearing Aids might not be the most discreet, but they make up for that by being water-, sweat-, and fall-proof. So, you can use them while exercising or taking a shower. The device also features double noise reduction, which is 30% higher than your average hearing aids and comes with three different frequency modes and four volume levels. The sound amplifier also offers the longest battery of the three, working for around 80 hours once fully charged. However, since it doesn’t come with a charging box, you’ll have to connect the USB directly to the hearing aids. The price depends on the color you get – the black pair costs $79.99, while blue or beige-color costs $89.99. Regardless of which ones you get, the company will always send you five pairs of hearing buds to make sure the hearing aids sit comfortably.
Hearing aid technology has improved quite a lot in the past few years. Nowadays, seniors can enjoy some helpful features that will make their lives easier regardless of their hearing and other medical conditions. Of course, choosing which features work best for your loved one depends on their situation.
Hearing aids with digital noise reduction automatically adjust the sounds surrounding the user. The device reduces background noise while increasing more important sounds like speech. Tech-savvy seniors may want a hearing aid that can connect to other devices (such as smart TVs or smartphones) through Bluetooth or wireless, which basically works like a wireless headset. Some options also support microphones, making it easier for users to understand their caregivers in noisy environments.
Some hearing aids allow for multiple program setups, too. This way, seniors can save different settings for specific situations and change the option with a mere click. We recommend pairing this feature with remote control support, as it will make it easier for the elderly to change the audio program. Another option is getting a hearing aid that comes with machine learning. The device picks up when the user changes the volume and then replicates it automatically in the future.
Other features you might want to consider include frequency shifters – ideal for older adults who can’t hear certain frequency ranges – tinnitus maskers, and directional microphones.
Hearing aids may improve a senior’s hearing and, consequently, help decrease their chance of falling. But accidents can still happen. For example, your loved one may forget to put their hearing aid in, fall down, and be unable to ask for help. Medical alert systems are a big help, as they’re able to detect falls and automatically connect the user to the monitoring center. The best part is that care agents call emergency services for help if the senior can’t respond. This means that the patient will get assistance even when they can’t hear the care agent. However, it’s not just seniors with hearing problems that are at risk of falling, so having a medical alert system is ideal for anyone wanting to age in place peacefully, without constantly fearing an accident.
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