Hearing loss is common as we age, but it doesn't have to go unnoticed. Early awareness and support can improve communication, safety, and quality of life.
Roughly one-third of adults over 65 experience some degree of hearing loss, but the average person waits nearly nine years before doing anything about it. As a caregiver, you're often the first to notice. Watch for trouble on the phone, turned-up TV volume, and frequent requests to repeat things — then bring it up gently and offer to help schedule and get to a hearing evaluation. Coastal Care Transport provides dependable transportation to hearing evaluations and audiology appointments throughout Suffolk and Hampton Roads.
Hearing loss is one of the most common — and most overlooked — health issues in older adults. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), roughly one-third of adults over 65 experience some degree of hearing loss, and that number climbs sharply with age. Because it usually develops gradually, many older adults don't realize how much they've lost, and families often mistake early symptoms for stubbornness, memory problems, or "just getting older." Recognizing the signs early — and knowing how to bring it up — can make a real difference in your loved one's health, safety, and quality of life.
Untreated hearing loss isn't just an inconvenience. Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine and studies published in Archives of Neurology have linked untreated hearing loss to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia, as well as increased rates of falls, hospitalization, depression and social isolation. The good news: these risks are largely addressable. Hearing aids, medical treatment, and simple communication strategies can significantly improve outcomes — but only if the problem is identified and addressed.
As a caregiver or family member, you're often the first to notice — and the one best positioned to help close that gap.
The NIA highlights these common warning signs. Your loved one may have hearing loss if they:
Because hearing loss can look like other issues, watch for these related patterns:
If your loved one also has memory issues or dementia, hearing and cognitive symptoms can compound each other. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that hearing tests can be harder to administer for people with Alzheimer's, but improving hearing where possible can help reduce confusion caused by dementia.
Bringing up hearing loss can feel delicate — it may touch on fears about aging, independence, or vanity. Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine caregiver resources suggest these approaches:
Coastal Care Transport provides dependable non-emergency medical transportation to hearing evaluations, audiology appointments and follow-up visits throughout Suffolk and Hampton Roads.
Small daily adjustments can ease frustration for everyone:
According to the National Institute on Aging, roughly one-third of adults over 65 experience some degree of hearing loss, and that number climbs sharply with age.
Common signs include struggling with phone conversations, trouble following group conversations, needing the TV or radio louder than others find comfortable, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, and difficulty hearing high-pitched voices.
Pick a calm, private moment, lead with observation rather than accusation, connect it to something they care about, normalize it as a common and treatable condition, and offer to be part of the process by helping schedule or attend the appointment.
Yes. Coastal Care Transport provides dependable non-emergency medical transportation to hearing evaluations, audiology appointments and follow-up medical visits throughout Suffolk and Hampton Roads.
Hearing loss in older adults is common, often gradual, and easy to miss until it starts affecting daily life. As a caregiver, your awareness and gentle persistence can be the difference between years of unnecessary isolation and a loved one who stays engaged, safe, and connected. The earlier hearing loss is identified and treated, the better the outcomes tend to be — for their health and for your relationship with them.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're concerned about a loved one's hearing, encourage them to consult a physician or licensed audiologist.