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May Is Better Hearing
Month: Some Sound Advice
By
Beverly Moore |
 Quincy
- On visiting the Weymouth Hearing Center to address
concerns about my hearing, I was attracted to a very large
wall poster by the National Council for Better Hearing
entitled Symptomatic Similarities of Alzheimer’s Disease and
Untreated Hearing Loss. Being an Alzheimer coach, I was
interested in the comparison of symptoms. Symptoms of both
Alzheimer’s and hearing loss are: depression, anxiety and
feelings of isolation; reduced language comprehension and/or
language ability; impaired memory or reduced cognitive
input; inappropriate psychosocial responses; reduced mental
scores on testing; denial, defensiveness, negativity and
distrust and suspicion that others are talking about them. I
had sought an exam due to feeling I was missing much in my
everyday work and not enjoying family gatherings as I had.
It was found I had a 50% hearing loss in both ears.
The person with dementia due to Alzheimer’s might not be
able to discern the changes or be able to question why or
relate his feelings of isolation.
Some people have been thought to have dementia when it was
later found that hearing loss was the reason for the changes
in cognition. Hearing loss is a disadvantage socially for
anyone, but it is essential it is recognized in someone
suspected of memory loss. Don’t guess; get your family
member examined for hearing loss to rule it out or get
treatment. Hearing will enhance life for them. Feeling
involved in family life keeps a person with memory loss
functioning better longer. |
About The Author
Beverly Moore is president of Sweet Grapes, Inc. a
licensor for StilMee™ coaches. Stil- Mee™ The leader in
Alzheimer coaching™. Beverly’s book Matters of the Mind…and
the Heart is available on line at www.Stil-Mee.com for an
autographed copy or go to www.strategicbookpublishing.com/MattersOfTheMindAndTheHeart.
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