According to the Baby Boomer Hearing Loss Study,¹ Baby Boomers are, generally speaking, willing to admit they have hearing loss. They are also inclined to remedy the communication challenges they face and are savvy consumers.

A growing number of boomers also belong to another group, the Sandwich Generation-so named because its members are "sandwiched" between raising their own children, working and now taking responsibility for their aging parents. They face new challenges as the needs of their loved ones increase or health deteriorates. It is not uncommon that hearing loss is an issue shared between the generations.

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) happen to play a big role in this new arena because they provide communication when it is really needed, solve practical problems-such as knowing when someone is at the door-and can actually reduce the stress caregivers experience as they face new challenges. Surveys indicate the No. 1 priority for aging seniors is the desire to remain in their own home, and ALDs are a practical solution for independence.

While ALDs can improve daily living, the issues for acceptance and actual use of these products mirror those for hearing aids. Older seniors generally are reluctant to embrace new technology or change. We know assistive devices will help, but some people won't accept them. Patience and persistence can greatly increase ­acceptance.

Being a member of the Sandwich Generation myself, I know firsthand about exasperating experiences with parents. My ­parents wouldn't always listen to me or accept my help even though I was in the best position to help them. I was just their daughter!

So here is an invitation to share my journey down the technology trail with my mother who had untreated moderate to severe hearing loss. Hearing aids would have solved many of these situations but, at the time, she simply would not wear them. You will quickly see how ALDs had their place and how valuable you can be as a resource to your baby boomer clients.

Phone Frustrations

Mom was "info central." She always knew what everyone else was doing and I had a phone call from her every night or so to catch up on what my kids had done that day. As her hearing loss progressed, telephone conversations became a source of stress. I had to nearly yell and repeat everything before she understood me. Soon our conversations dwindled to her telling me everything she could while not asking any questions.

She was increasingly frustrated and began to feel cut off. I can't imagine what would have happened if I didn't live close by and we had to rely solely on phone calls to communicate. The struggles on the phone would have been more traumatic if I had not been able to drop in to catch up.

Then I gave her a 50dB amplified telephone-and she loved it!

Cordless amplified phones are very popular among seniors. Many people carry the phone from room to room so they can hear it ring and be close to answer it. It can often be hard for older people to get up and reach the phone before it stops ringing. Amplified cordless phones are amazingly effective.

Corded phones are sometimes a better option. They offer the override switch that keeps the volume control set automatically. Some offer slots to place photos or memory buttons for speed dialing; these are good options as memory or sight deteriorates. A good quality speakerphone is popular for many people as well.

TV Blasting Zone

Phone calls got better with the amplified phone, but a new problem arose. When I was talking with my mother on the phone, I would need to ask her to turn down the TV so that I could hear her. The loud TV in the background drowned out everything she said. She could not understand that it was a problem because she couldn't hear the TV, but she could hear me on the phone.

Mom began to feel alone because Dad could not sit with her in the family room when the TV was on. He had to retreat to another room. This caused some issues because she felt he was ignoring her. She resented that no one would watch TV with her when they visited.

When I opened the door to the apartment building to visit my parents, I could hear their TV from three doors away. I would knock on the door to no avail and had to unlock the door, walk in and scare them as I suddenly "appeared" in the room.

I took a TV listening system to my mom, but she wouldn't use it. She didn't like the headset and refused to wear it. She saw no problem turning the TV all the way up. I ended up calling her before I visited so she could unlock the door for me.

It amazes me how well TV listening systems work. I personally like the under-chin earpieces in the majority of systems available. However, some people prefer to use a neckloop with their hearing aid telecoil or a headphone-style headset. The TV listener with the large dial volume control is an excellent option for people with limited dexterity or sight. These options can be the difference between acceptance or refusal to use a system.

ADs Save the Day

Mom became ill and needed assistance to get in and out of bed in the back bedroom. She would call out for Dad who was down the hall in the family room. As he was also hard of hearing, he couldn't hear her. She would waver between anger, frustration and fear when he didn't come when she called out for him.

I brought home a pager pendent and a receiver with a vibrator attached. Now she could push a button and Dad would be alerted and go to her. She liked this device because it helped with his ­hearing loss.

People with hearing loss (and loud TVs) often cannot hear the doorbell. A doorbell signaler that causes a lamp to flash is an economic solution to this problem. It is especially helpful if visitors have complained that nobody answered the door when you know someone was home. If a parent has home healthcare visitors, it is especially important to be able to hear the doorbell and answer the door.

Rocky Road to Acceptance

I went to many doctor's appointments with Mom. I would need to repeat everything that was said because she could understand my voice as I spoke clearly and forcefully. As her health deteriorated, she began making more trips to the hospital and emergency room. Clear communication was always an issue.

Sometimes she seemed confused. Often it was because she didn't hear well. Her denial of her hearing loss could cause critical errors. Medical diagnoses and medications were determined based on her cognitive ability. It was imperative someone was always with her to assist in communication.

She still would not have her hearing tested and refused to try hearing aids, so I brought home a personal amplifier with headphones. She resisted wearing it, but I was firm. I would not let her "forget" it when I visited. She loudly protested having to use it and reluctantly put that darn thing on just to appease me.

But then she began using the amplifier more often. It always came with her on subsequent trips to the hospital or doctor's office. She became accustomed to it. She began using it at family functions and with visitors. I think she began to feel connected again and realized what she was missing.

The day finally came when she got tired of dealing with the wires and the thought of just putting something in her ear became attractive. She decided it was time to try hearing aids.

The personal amplifier can provide a life line when there is a crisis. The ability to use an earphone and a simple cost-effective amplifier will get the job done in many situations. Personal amplifiers allow people to participate in groups, to be part of the larger community and reduce loneliness.

How many of your clients are living with challenges and frustrations right now and don't know what to do? They probably haven't heard of ALDs, because they seem to be the best kept secret around. You can provide valuable information to your clients that can help them as they face these issues as caregivers.

Many ALD distributors offer catalogs and brochures you can share with your clients to make them aware that ALD solutions exist. If you have a Web site, it would be wise to include a discussion on ALDs in the services page since Baby Boomers are using the Internet in search of answers.

My mom needed hearing aids for years but would not even try them. I couldn't speed up the process or force her into a decision, but I was able to help her along the path to acceptance by focusing on specific problems and finding solutions. She's gone now, but I am so appreciative of the technology that helped my mom stay at home and stay connected. There is a place for ALDs in the treatment of hearing loss; please consider offering them to help your patients do all that they can to provide caring solutions to their loved ones.

Reference

1. Clarity & The Ear Foundation. (2006). Baby Boomer Hearing Loss Study. Prince Market Research, Nashville, TN.

Becky Morris is author, (daughter), trainer and president of Beyond Hearing Aids Inc. She welcomes conversations and questions on ALDs at Beckym@beyondhearingaids.com.