Easy Home Adaptations for Older Adults With Hearing Loss

By Leonora Martin

Many of us need to create changes around our homes as we age—and if you struggle with hearing loss, this is important to factor into your plans. While having difficulty hearing can be challenging, there are plenty of adaptations you can make to ensure living comfortably is just that little bit easier.

Here is a guide to three different types of home adaptations that may help you as an independent senior with hearing loss.

Alternative Alert Systems

Smart doorbells have cameras that will show you who is at the door, even if you’re not at home.

If you struggle to hear the doorbell or your phone, visual alert systems may be the answer. Rather than using standard systems, which are based on sound alarms, you can choose ones fitted with vibration settings, flashing lights, or other visual displays to get your attention. 

Similarly, a bed shaker alarm, which can be placed under your pillow or mattress, uses a physical sensation to wake you up.

You can also make use of smart devices that’ll help to alert you, so that you don’t need to be in the vicinity to know when your doorbell or phone are ringing. Smart doorbells have cameras that will show you who is at the door, even if you’re not at home, and you can speak to the person at the door through the doorbell device. You can get these alerts through your smartwatch or smartphone.

Furniture and Layout Adjustments

Reading visual cues when people are speaking can become easier if you ensure there’s good lighting and enough open space so you can see one another. Particularly in the spaces where you host guests, you’ll want to ensure there’s plenty of natural light—or bright overhead lighting—and seating areas with direct sightlines.

In addition, using soft furnishings in your home can help to reduce echoes, and strategically installing mirrors helps you see people entering and exiting spaces even if they are out of your direct line of vision.

Acoustic Panels

Acoustic panels, which can be installed on walls in your home, are designed to absorb sound waves in a room—up to 70 percent of sound with an NRC (noise reduction coefficient) value of 0.7. These can help to further minimize echoes so you can hear what you need to hear.

While it may seem like a big job, acoustic panels can be easily applied straight to your walls, so you won’t have to undergo any building work or structural changes. Just make sure to hire a professional to install your panels if you have mobility difficulties or feel you could use some assistance.

Prioritize Home Adaptations

For seniors it’s important to feel safe and comfortable in their homes while still maintaining independence. Although it can feel daunting to make lots of changes to your home, there are lots of small, easy tweaks to be made that’ll make navigating your space much easier.

No matter whether you choose to make small changes or incorporate larger installations, getting started early on can help to limit stress and make sure you’re set up for the future. For additional advice on useful home adaptations, or to seek support for hearing loss, be sure to reach out to the appropriate organizations or a healthcare professional.

So long as you prioritize changes in the home, you'll be equipped to manage your hearing loss with ease.

Leonora Martin is a caregiver who helps seniors to live independently. As someone who has experienced hearing loss, she understands the unique struggles it can present.

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