This last time mom was in the hospital was the first time I noticed that she wasn't understanding questions from me or anyone unless they were right by her ear. The fact that I had been taking care of her for the last two years and hadn't noticed any hearing problems only steadily worsening dementia, confused me but it seemed obvious.
Now, although I'm still going to make sure she gets her hearing checked, I've started to notice what seems like incomprehension after a question I know she's heard. I've read too many similar experiences on this site. I feel soooo guilty because I used to get short with her when she would take too long to answer a question. Now I realize that it's probably her brain not being able to process as well.
Anyway I really don't have a question except to ask if anyone has noticed a difference in symptoms when they're loved one was fitted with a hearing aid?
You are correct in that is it hearing or processing. It takes a Dementia patient a while to process what is being said and to even comprehend it.
Medicare will not pay for hearing aides. The elderly do not to well with them if they haven't been wearing them for years. I have sat thru the exam with my husband. Its a series of words that need to be repeated back. Sounds that the person needs to understand to put up a finger when you hear it. Then its adjustment of the hearing aide. They are digital and adjusted using a computer. So again, the person has to be able to tell the audiologist if the sound is loud enough. Then its the fitting of the mold. Is the person going to be able to tell if it too tight. My husband had his shaved down a little. Then its can they adjust the volume with those little wheels?
My Mom never wore hers and when she did she pulled them out wrong. A man I know wife put hers in the microwave to warm them up.