The nurses put them in and she takes them out and hides them. We've completely lost one. She needs them desperately. Implants still have a device that goes behind the ear, so that's not any better.
Do you actually mean that communicating with her if she isn't wearing them is a total pain in the neck for everyone else? Because, although I appreciate (oh boy I appreciate!) the frustration of it, this means that it isn't your mother who needs them. It's everyone else.
But they don't have to wear them. And the in-ear type, no matter how cleverly designed (and flipping expensive!), are hot and stuffy and itch and buzz; and she will take them out, because she can't keep in mind the point of wearing them; and goodness knows where you'll find them next. Her coffee cup. Down the side of the armchair. Her slipper. Under the rim of her plate...
I hate to say it, but her caregivers will all have to brush up on non-verbal communication skills and at the same time speak clearly, taking care to make sure she is focused on them.
If you've managed to rescue the current pair, you could keep them safe for key occasions such as doctors' appointments or VIP visitors. The everyday conversation will be time-consuming and tedious, and I'm sorry for it. But there is no magic way to make your mother keep those babies in her ears.
I would say just leave the d*mn things out. It is quiet in your own world. keep them to use if really necessary. If she is on a routine she will know when to expect when certain things happen. If you know what she likes to eat just wheel her to the table and put a spoon in her hand. Make pictures of things like the toilet and shower and she will soon get the idea. Not having to make decisions actually makes it easier on her
It is indeed really hard to get an older person to use hearing aids if they don't want to, and even harder if they have dementia.
I carry around a "Pocket Talker"; it's a little portable amplifier with headphones (the headband type of headphones). I just put it on for older patients with dementia and hearing loss; most are amenable and like being able to hear me talk to them.
So one option, if you or others are having trouble communicating with your mom, would be to consider something similar. You can have her wear it as needed.
Preventing people who have dementia from removing their glasses, dentures, braces, bandages, hearing aids, etc., is a very challenging thing to do. They are not trying to be difficult and they can't be blamed for this. I used to think that it was just something they did without even thinking about it. Then, I read somewhere that when the patient does not feel that they can handle certain sensory input, like too much visual stimulation or too much auditory stimulation, that they remove glasses or hearing aids. I have NO proof that the theory is true. It sounds odd to me, but, it does make me wonder. Has anyone else heard this theory?
Unless the resident is constantly observed by staff, to prevent them from removing the device, I"m not sure, what can be done. The resident isn't able able to remember where they put it and they can't reason enough to keep them from removing them. It could be a daily struggle that involves constantly replacing the device. If there are any helpful suggestions, I hope they will chime in here.
My mom is 95 and almost blind. I gave up on hearing aids and got a little amplifier at the ENT (also at Amazon) and you can set the volume. It's small and you can attach it to her clothes, put it in a pocket or leave it sitting on the chair or something close by. Then, I bought a headset at Walmart and she has been using both for about a year. She can hear the TV and us. Sometimes it annoys her and she take is off but for the most part she wears it all day. It's been a blessing for her and for us!
My mom was the same. I even came up with attaching a cord between them that went around the back of her neck. she still took them out. I truly think that what was happening is that it was the beginning of her not comprehending what was being said to her any more. They were causing noises to be way too confusing and overwhelming. I took them home reluctantly.... Now she responds very well to hand and body gestures to guide her. succinct clear speech ( although now she hears and speaks gibberish- sometimes a clear response comes out)
There's a device called a pocket talker that is headphones attached to a microphone and can really help when you need to communicate with someone who refuses to wear hearing aids for whatever reason. There are also deep fitting hearing aids called Lyric that are placed by an audiologist or ENT and stay in long term, only changed every 2-3 months by the doctor. This might be a solution for those who won't voluntarily keep their aids in their ears.
For those who insist hearing aids buzz and squeal and distort, this was a problem with older hearing aids that is not a problem with today's new technology. I'm a hearing professional and half-deaf myself, so I keep abreast of the new technology and get to try it myself every year. Hearing loss changes and hearing aids have a lifespan of 4-8 years depending on the individual. If a loved one is having problems with sound quality, feedback or fit, it is important to get in to the hearing care professional for adjustments, and to replace hearing aids that are no longer appropriate in order for the best outcomes to be achieved.
Untreated hearing loss can mimic the symptoms of dementia and also accelerate the development of dementia. A mild untreated hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia. A moderate untreated hearing loss triples the risk of dementia. A severe hearing loss makes a person 5x more likely to develop dementia. This is not a small increased risk, nor is it the only risk of leaving hearing loss untreated. Other risks involved with leaving hearing loss untreated include depression, anxiety, embarrassment, paranoia, increased risk of falls, memory issues, social isolation, anger, negativism, giving up enjoyable hobbies/pursuits, increased risk of hospitalization, loss of independent living, and danger when environmental cues like sirens and alarms are missed. Hearing loss deserves to be treated early and appropriately. Hearing loss also tends to run in families, so if you have a parent who is hearing impaired (especially if they have dementia as well), it is incredibly important to get your own hearing checked and to treat hearing loss as soon as it starts to happen.
We didn't used to know about these risks, and in my experience, most people still don't know about them. However, we do know now. Now that we know better, we can do better. Please take care of your hearing.
The psychiatrist at our hospital told us nurses that patients with more severe dementia often have no use for hearing aids because the hearing aid no longer helps them hear better. This is because you must be able to concentrate enough to understand & make since out of the sounds you are hearing, in order to actually "hear" what is said! In other words, the hearing aid would help her hear loud bangs.... to scare her... however, it might not help her hear / realize someone is talking to her.
Suggestions for Pocket Talker is worth the amazon $140. Bought best hearing aid but too many problems for dad and aids. They both now use the pocket talker. Bought new tees with pockets. Does have clip for sleeves and belt. Some aids pick up the PT and talk into the speaker (large foam ball). Does require battery changes. Good luck.
Do you actually mean that communicating with her if she isn't wearing them is a total pain in the neck for everyone else? Because, although I appreciate (oh boy I appreciate!) the frustration of it, this means that it isn't your mother who needs them. It's everyone else.
But they don't have to wear them. And the in-ear type, no matter how cleverly designed (and flipping expensive!), are hot and stuffy and itch and buzz; and she will take them out, because she can't keep in mind the point of wearing them; and goodness knows where you'll find them next. Her coffee cup. Down the side of the armchair. Her slipper. Under the rim of her plate...
I hate to say it, but her caregivers will all have to brush up on non-verbal communication skills and at the same time speak clearly, taking care to make sure she is focused on them.
If you've managed to rescue the current pair, you could keep them safe for key occasions such as doctors' appointments or VIP visitors. The everyday conversation will be time-consuming and tedious, and I'm sorry for it. But there is no magic way to make your mother keep those babies in her ears.
I carry around a "Pocket Talker"; it's a little portable amplifier with headphones (the headband type of headphones). I just put it on for older patients with dementia and hearing loss; most are amenable and like being able to hear me talk to them.
So one option, if you or others are having trouble communicating with your mom, would be to consider something similar. You can have her wear it as needed.
Good luck!
Unless the resident is constantly observed by staff, to prevent them from removing the device, I"m not sure, what can be done. The resident isn't able able to remember where they put it and they can't reason enough to keep them from removing them. It could be a daily struggle that involves constantly replacing the device. If there are any helpful suggestions, I hope they will chime in here.
It's been a blessing for her and for us!
I truly think that what was happening is that it was the beginning of her not comprehending what was being said to her any more.
They were causing noises to be way too confusing and overwhelming.
I took them home reluctantly.... Now she responds very well to hand and body gestures to guide her. succinct clear speech ( although now she hears and speaks gibberish- sometimes a clear response comes out)
For those who insist hearing aids buzz and squeal and distort, this was a problem with older hearing aids that is not a problem with today's new technology. I'm a hearing professional and half-deaf myself, so I keep abreast of the new technology and get to try it myself every year. Hearing loss changes and hearing aids have a lifespan of 4-8 years depending on the individual. If a loved one is having problems with sound quality, feedback or fit, it is important to get in to the hearing care professional for adjustments, and to replace hearing aids that are no longer appropriate in order for the best outcomes to be achieved.
Untreated hearing loss can mimic the symptoms of dementia and also accelerate the development of dementia. A mild untreated hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia. A moderate untreated hearing loss triples the risk of dementia. A severe hearing loss makes a person 5x more likely to develop dementia. This is not a small increased risk, nor is it the only risk of leaving hearing loss untreated. Other risks involved with leaving hearing loss untreated include depression, anxiety, embarrassment, paranoia, increased risk of falls, memory issues, social isolation, anger, negativism, giving up enjoyable hobbies/pursuits, increased risk of hospitalization, loss of independent living, and danger when environmental cues like sirens and alarms are missed. Hearing loss deserves to be treated early and appropriately. Hearing loss also tends to run in families, so if you have a parent who is hearing impaired (especially if they have dementia as well), it is incredibly important to get your own hearing checked and to treat hearing loss as soon as it starts to happen.
We didn't used to know about these risks, and in my experience, most people still don't know about them. However, we do know now. Now that we know better, we can do better. Please take care of your hearing.
This is because you must be able to concentrate enough to understand & make since out of the sounds you are hearing, in order to actually "hear" what is said!
In other words, the hearing aid would help her hear loud bangs.... to scare her... however, it might not help her hear / realize someone is talking to her.
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