In Home Care for people living with hearing loss

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss means you have trouble hearing or you cannot hear at all in one or both ears. Hearing loss can happen suddenly or slowly over time. While some hearing loss is considered normal as you get older, you are more likely to have problems with your hearing if you are over 55 years of age.

What causes hearing loss?

There are many causes of hearing loss, some hearing loss may be temporary due to short-term medical conditions such as colds, flu, ear infections or wax in the ear canal. Other factors such as family history (hereditary), general health and work history (exposure to load noise) may play a significant role.

Types of hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss (when sounds are blocked in the middle and outer ear from reaching the hearing nerve).

Sensorineural hearing loss (when sounds can reach the hearing nerve but the hearing nerves send a distorted or damaged message to the brain).

Mixed hearing loss (a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss).

What should I do if I experience hearing loss?

If you’re having difficulties with your hearing, the first step is to see your doctor. They may refer you to another health professional such as an audiologist or audiometrist who will test you hearing and provide specialist advice. Hearing checks are free throughout Australia if you hold an Australian Medicare Care card.

How is hearing loss treated?

Correcting the cause of your hearing loss: For example, if your ear is plugged with earwax or an object, it can be removed.

Hearing aids: A hearing aid is a small device that fits inside your ear and enhances volume and clarity.

Assistive listening devices: These devices are like small radios that pick up sound and send it through earphones or a headset. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) may help you hear better when you watch TV, sit in a classroom, or listen to a speaker. ALDs for phones and doorbells use flashing lights or vibrators to let you know they are ringing. ALDs can be used with hearing aids.

Antibiotic medicine: This medicine may be given if you have an ear infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver.

Therapy: You may need to work with a specialist who can help you with speech and hearing.

Cochlear implant: This is a tiny device that is put into your cochlea (a part of your inner ear) during surgery. This device is only given to people with sensorineural hearing loss.

Surgery: You may need surgery if your hearing loss is caused by otosclerosis or other problems.

Hearing loss can affect a person in three main ways:

• Fewer educational and job opportunities due to impaired communication
• Social withdrawal due to reduced access to services and difficulties communicating with others
• Emotional problems caused by a drop in self-esteem and confidence.

The Daughterly Care Approach™

At Daughterly Care we can offer support with all types of hearing loss. Some examples are; helping you choose and maintain hearing appliances, taking you to appointments, advocating on your behalf and helping with social, emotional or communication difficulties.

Some of the tips used by our carers’ include:

• Getting the person’s attention.
• Facing the person and standing close to them.
• Having the light on their face and not covering their mouth.
• Speaking more slowly than usual.
• Raising their voice if they need to, but trying not shouting.
• Speaking expressively and using face, hand and body movements.
• Being ready to use a pen and paper.

We offer a range of care such as: personal care, shopping, appointments, light housekeeping and respite. We provide these services on an a Pay By The Hour basis, 24 Hour care and Live In care basis. We tailor our care plans on an individual basis, with regular review and flexibility of change if your situation changes.

Please contact our friendly office staff if you need any further information, or need to discuss your individual needs on (02) 9970 7333.