The Impact of Hearing Loss on Alzheimer ’s and Dementia

Diminished hearing can quickly isolate a person. It ’s exhausting to focus on the minutia of a conversation just to ensure processing the important points. It takes concentration, focus and considerable energy!By Elaine C PereiraAlzheimer's Reading RoomMy mother, Elizabeth Ward whose story is profiled in my memoirI Will Never Forget, died from Alzheimer ’s in 2011.If the ravages of brain cell gobbling Alzheimer ’s Disease weren’t enough, she was also stone deaf from Meniere’s Disease.How to Listen to an Alzheimer's PatientSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Meniere ’s is a disorder of the inner ear causing debilitating vertigo, hearing loss often with complete deafness and tinnitus or ringing in the ears. I’m told that she was the first person in the US with Meniere’s, circa 1990, to receive a cochlear implant.Should you correct someone living with dementia?My mother adapted well to her new device, compliant with all of therapeutic exercises and practice worksheets. Although her hearing was never “normal” - she described the chime of the doorbell as a click-click - Mom was functional in very small group settings.10 Great Alzheimer's Keyword SearchesThe Social ButterflyDespite compromised hearing, my mother earnestly maintained a social presence.Music was especially difficult to absorb but she went to concerts anyway.Conversation was an effort but Mom participated.Parties and large group social gatherings were an auditory nightmare but she was th...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer care caring for dementia patients at home dementia care dementia help for caregivers family caregiving health HEARING LOSS help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs