Breaking Down Communication Barriers: Bring On the Tech!

This blog is written to celebrate Seniors’ Week June 3 – 9.

What’s Your Sign?

There are several signs that that you might be experiencing hearing loss, including:

• Difficulty understanding others, even when they speak clearly and slowly
• Frequently turning up the volume on the TV or radio
• Struggling to follow conversations in noisy environments.
• Experiencing ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears (tinnitus)
• Being told by others that they often need to repeat themselves
• Feeling like you are missing out on social activities, work, or other important aspects of life due to hearing difficulties

As we age, experiencing some degree of hearing loss is normal, making it important to regularly see an audiologist. During Seniors’ Week in Alberta, it’s essential to recognize how technology can help seniors with hearing loss lead fulfilling lives, engage in social activities, and enjoy family time.

If you have a senior family member who is becoming isolated because of hearing difficulties, seek help promptly. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can negatively impact both physical and mental health. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, using assistive devices, and admitting to hearing difficulties. While we can't change everyone's biases, we can work towards making assistive communication technology widely accepted and routine.

Imagine

Imagine a world where people embrace their hearing loss. Hearing loss affects not just seniors but people of all ages, whether congenital or acquired later in life. It is part of the human experience. We don’t shame those with visible disabilities, and invisible disabilities should be treated no differently.

I envision an Alberta where hearing loops or other amplification are standard in public buildings, films and TV shows have captioning by default, and meetings include live captioning. Voice-to-text apps would be common in workplaces and social settings. Personal amplifiers would be a typical sight, with people using wearable devices to enhance sound.

Technology to Explore…

A personal amplifier like the Williams Sound Pocketalker Ultra is an assistive device that can change your entire hearing scenario. There are many other devices like wireless microphones and amplified telephones. Some can be used in conjunction with hearing aids or cochlear implants.  Others can be used alone. It’s difficult to know what will work for you unless you try out some of these. At Deaf & hear Alberta we offer free one-on-one consultations to help you find the assistive equipment that works for you.

Aging is More!

Address your hearing loss and see your life improve! See an audiologist

Book an appointment for a one-on-one consultation for assistive devices!