Page 151 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

Support the Aging Brain • 135

a significant hearing loss. When the elder said he didn’t
know how to lip read, the audiologist blindfolded him to
check this out. The elder still was able to respond appropri-
ately. The audiologist concluded that the elder was “listen-
ing in context” and not lip reading. This would seem to be a
natural accommodation and probably not unique.
More positive compensation strategies include the follow-
ing actions. You can eliminate competing sounds such as the
TV or radio by turning them off. If a speaker talks too quickly,
you can ask him to slow down or speak more clearly. You also
might be able to rearrange your sitting area so that you can sit
across from your visitors and more clearly see their mouths
and faces to help you interpret their speech. Try these adjust-
ments to boost your ability to carry on a conversation better.
Stay in the conversation longer for more enjoyment!
When conversing with someone who may be using your
nonverbal cues, give him time to do the processing. If the in-
formation you are passing on is critical, however, use the
old tried-and-true formula: have him repeat the information
back to you.

Hearing degradation can be dangerous—we use our hear-
ing to warn us of many dangers. Is the heater running con-
stantly? Is someone breaking in?

One of the simplest ways to minimize the effect of this
decline is the use of a hearing aid. Amazingly, many people
refuse to wear a hearing aid, even though the new hearing
aids are very effective and fit into the ear canal so as to be in-
visible. In one research study, of those individuals who
found it difficult to follow a conversation in a crowded
room, 75 percent did not use a hearing aid. We have an aunt
who always prefaces advice with “If you get cold, you get a
sweater, if you get hungry, you get something to eat.” She
would be the first to say “If you can’t hear, you might in-
vestigate getting a hearing aid.”