← Return to Dementia and hearing aids

Discussion

Dementia and hearing aids

Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Jul 27 2:44pm | Replies (18)

Comment receiving replies
@gloro

After years of joking that his best friend refused to use his hearing aids, guess what? My beloved has refused to wear two styles: one from a reputable local business and one from the audiology department of a nearby college. They sit in the draw and gather dust. Also, he was subsequently tested by a VA audiologist who verified he does not hear properly. He now receives a small benefit because he was exposed to loud noises during his service in the Air Force. Sometimes, all you can do is follow through with all the suggestions and then accept you did your best. I don't mean to be a downer, but some of this is in the power of fickle gods who, I think, get a joke out of our attempts to control something that is uncontrollable. That being said, I know a man who wears a headset for TV viewing to enjoy programs with his family. Our loved one's receptiveness to the new and the strange will be part of whether there is success or not.
GloRo

Jump to this post


Replies to "After years of joking that his best friend refused to use his hearing aids, guess what?..."

Looking ahead to future needs- my husband has been seen by the VA just for his hearing aids. At the last visit, his earwax needed cleaning, the audiologist said she doesn’t do that, it has to be a MD or PA, said something about having his benefit checked, got on the phone, waited, told us he was eligible to see either, had us make an appointment at check-out. During the procedure visit, I told the PA how happy I was that the clinic had wheelchairs as just recently, my husband suddenly decided to just sit down on the floor at Walmart and kind shoppers and associates rushed to help us, got a store wheelchair and helped me get him back into the car. The PA said, “With his dementia, he doesn’t sound safe anymore out with just a walker. You need a travel wheelchair so you can still take him places. I’ll put a request in for a rehab evaluation and we’ll get him one.”
That Eval was yesterday and an extra light travel w/c has been ordered that I’ll be able to lift in and out of the trunk. He’s getting Home Care PT now due to two recent falls, the PT said only to use the walker at home when he is closely supervised, his balance is off and he’s very impulsive and distractible. I bought a wheelchair for him and had an anti-rollback device put on (would never remember to put on the brakes before standing), he propels it with his feet, zipping along.
The VA PT said to bring his wheelchair in, they will enter it into the VA system and any repairs or accessories needed will be provided by the VA.
I had no idea this kind of help was a possibility. Next time you’re at the VA, no harm in asking if he’s eligible for “Durable Medical Equipment”, he may need it in the future. What a wonderful service!