A whopping 1 in 3 people aged 60 or over suffer bilateral age-related hearing loss, otherwise known as presbycusis. This can be due to genetics, exposure to loud noises, medical conditions, or even medication.
It only increases with age, with 2 in 3 seniors experiencing this issue after age 70. Even more concerning is that research shows a link between hearing loss and cognitive conditions like dementia and depression.
Many people depend on medical alert systems to live independently and safely as they age. The devices offer reassurance, with an agent responding immediately at the push of a button. Some have automatic detections for falls, meaning the senior doesn’t even need to lift a finger to get help in an emergency, let alone make the call to the emergency services themselves.
Bay Alarm Medical offers a wide range of systems, from classic landline-based units to sleek smartwatches, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Regardless of the subscription, seniors get 24/7 monitoring with certified operators who can help in 180 languages.
As well as providing location tracking, fall detection, mobile apps, and water-resistant devices, the company offers extras like a lockbox. You can start monitoring for as low as $24.95 per month. Bay Alarm Medical provides a 30-day money-back guarantee to serve up a genuinely risk-free experience.
Medical Guardian has over two decades of experience in providing medical and security monitoring services. Aiming to help the elderly age gracefully and independently in their own homes, Medical Guardian offers accurate fall detection functionality along with wireless and mobile monitoring units for those without a phone line.
In addition to its array of monitoring equipment, the company’s main strength is the well-rounded personal emergency service that caters to the needs of seniors or recovering patients. Plus, in addition to the U.S., Medical Guardian also works in Puerto Rico (device restrictions may apply).
Although the company doesn’t offer long-term contracts, it still rewards customers who commit for a longer period with numerous benefits like monthly savings, free shipping, and a free lockbox. The payment plans are customer-friendly, with services starting at $27.95 per month, and you can reach out via phone at +1 (800) 863-8985 to get a customized quote.
With MobileHelp's medical alert system, wherever you go, you’ll be protected. One convenient characteristic shared by most of its products is that they don’t need a landline to function.
When it comes to on-the-go options, the MobileHelp Solo station and lightweight two-way-communication Micro button works with a cellular network. Family members can use their computers or smartphones to locate the device’s wearer via the caregiver tools, granting them extra peace of mind.
MobileHelp aims to be a supporter, not just a protector, and its wide range of additional accessories can help improve aging adults’ everyday lives. All these come at reasonable prices, with the service starting at a mere $22.80 per month with a yearly subscription. There are also several discounts and even one month for free. Readers can contact the sales team through the toll-free number +1 (800) 809-9247 to know more.
Lifeline (former Phillips Lifeline) is a medical alert system company with over 50 years of experience in the industry. It offers multiple solutions to help seniors maintain independence, even if they have medical concerns. The company works with specialized care agents who are available 24/7 and offer at-home and mobile solutions.
Among its features are fall detection, a mobile app, step tracking, and heart monitoring. Choosing yearly or semiannual plans rewards customers with free shipping and a lockbox. For improved accessibility, the company can be reached via its toll-free number +1 (888) 825-6710.
Medical alert systems mainly cater to older people, so it’s no surprise that they are designed with people experiencing hearing loss in mind. Most life alerts have features essential to a hard-of-hearing senior, such as operators trained to speak loudly and clearly to the caller and visual indicators on devices such as flashing lights.
Despite the lack of specialist systems designed for seniors struggling with hearing ailments, all the best medical alert services can help in this situation. To make our selection of the best life alerts for the hard of hearing, we focused on some specific characteristics:
It’s vital to consider certain aspects when looking for a life alert for someone struggling with hearing loss. Some features may appear handy but are actually irrelevant, such as a two-way speaker only being practical if it provides customizable volume.
This automatic and crucial feature doesn’t require any action on the part of the senior, so even someone unable to hear or communicate is attended to straight after a fall. It should be one of the first things a caregiver or senior looks for when assessing whether a medical alert system is appropriate.
Having devices that offer GPS tracking, combined with a caregiver app that can transmit this information, may be crucial. If the senior lives an active lifestyle, it’s reassuring for caregivers and family members to know that they can receive key information if the wearer isn’t picking up their cell.
Most medical alert system users will rely on the two-way speakers of their devices, but this only works if it’s loud enough to be heard. Most systems let users increase the volume.
While a two-way speaker is handy, seniors with severe hearing loss may benefit from other means of communicating. Having the senior interact with operators or family through text messaging is convenient and straightforward. Additionally, devices that offer vibrating or visual alerts, such as flashing lights, are extremely handy for the deaf and hard of hearing.
No medical alert system would be worth two cents if it couldn’t guarantee rapid response times. It’s a must for anyone relying on a life alert to have 24/7 access to trained operators. Additionally, all the best systems ensure their staff can communicate in numerous languages.
Any senior depending on one of these systems should be looking for operators that respond to the press of a button within mere seconds. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sets the standard for safety and reliability, so a UL certification guarantees the best results.
The extra touch needed for the hard of hearing is to have operators who have all the user’s information at hand, so they know if they suffer from hearing loss. They can start discussions by suggesting the senior put in their hearing aid if they have forgotten it.
In general, most medical alert systems don’t connect directly to hearing aids but they do complement and work alongside each other exceptionally well. However, there are hearing aids that provide some of the same features offered by life alerts.
Some of Starkey’s hearing aids can contact up to three caregivers and include fall detection and GPS location. The wearer can also set up the manual alert feature, which allows them to tap their hearing aid to send an alert for a fall. While this is impressive, it doesn’t provide the same safety net as a complete medical alert system with monitoring, as it relies on caregivers being available 24/7.
There are other ways to guarantee the security of a senior with hearing issues, like investing in equipment, such as:
While these are all useful accompaniments for an independent senior, nothing can beat the reassurance that comes with installing a comprehensive medical alert system.
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