Most people don’t think about losing their hearing as an emergency situation. It’s certainly not a happy experience, but you and your elderly family member might be very surprised to learn that there are some circumstances in which hearing loss is something to be concerned about.
If it Happens After an Injury
Even a small injury to your aging family member’s head or ears can cause hearing loss. If there’s any type of injury to your senior’s head or ears, make sure that you get her in to see her doctor right away. An exam can determine if she’s experienced any permanent damage. The more information that you have about the injury, the better.
If it Occurs with Specific Symptoms
When there’s a neurological problem, hearing loss may accompany numbness, paralysis, loss of vision, or other symptoms. It’s vital that you seek emergency medical help if your senior is experiencing these types of symptoms along with sudden hearing loss.
If it Happens After Taking a New Medication
Some medications have odd side effects, so there’s always something to watch out for when your aging family member takes a new medication. If she experiences hearing loss after taking one or even a few doses of medication, call her doctor right away. Depending on the medication, she may not be able to simply stop taking the medication right away.
If it Happens After Traveling
When your elderly family member travels, especially on an airplane, she may experience different sensations in her ears. If she starts to experience hearing loss after a trip that can be an indication that something isn’t right. She could have damaged her ear drum or picked up an infection that’s affecting her hearing.
If There’s a Sudden Onset of Hearing Loss
Any time that your elderly family member experiences a sudden loss of hearing, it’s vital to seek medical help. This is true no matter what the cause might be because the very fact that she suddenly isn’t able to hear can mean that a variety of problems could be at play. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.
Having experienced home care providers available for your elderly family member can help you and her to spot some of these situations before they become a serious problem. If you suspect that your senior family member is experiencing any problems at all, talk with her doctor right away.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME CARE IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.