Dementia and hearing aids

My husband has been wearing hearing aids since 1997. For most of the first four years his one hearing aid sat in his drawer. When he went to stronger aids for both ears there was a noticeable improvement. I got my first pair about 1 1/2 years ago. I was worried whether I would wear them and I didn't wear them much for the first 3 or 4 months. Now, I wear them daily. I think just remembering to put them in was part of my problem. I can tell that I am hearing better and that encourages me to wear them. They are easy to put in and helpful to wear in noisy situations. I can still feel that I have them in my ears. This may take time for me to adjust to. My husband is still always turning up the sound on the tv TOO LOUD! He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 2 years ago, so memory does enter into what he does. He may have auditory neuropathy and I need to have him tested for that.

We both have Phonak hearing aids now with a charging unit. He doesn't have to fumble with the little batteries trying to put them in now. I love them!!! They charge and are automatically cleaned overnight. The app is such a great help. I can control the volume on his aids and mine so we can both watch tv comfortably now. He got his aids about a year ago and has finally remembered how to put his hearing aids in for charging. I still check them before I go to bed or when I get up to make sure they are charging/charged. The sound quality is excellent.

I just read an article from Mayo Clinic on cochlear implants for slowing dementia in older adults a couple of days ago. I think we will look into that to see if it might help improve his hearing at least.

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!

As much as we know what services are available, there is always more to learn. I am the one with the walkers, and my Air Force guy is the wobbly one but remarkably able-bodied for 94. After doctors declared there was nothing more that could be done medically for colon cancer, he was put into hospice, even though there was no pain, no loss of appetite, or depression. The nurse who visited weekly requested we put into place a plan for funeral arrangements and scheduled a visit from a vet to see if my dear boy was eligible for any benefits. After six months of hospice, we all agreed that an exceptional gene pool is defying cancer and dementia That was two years ago. But, we have been educated and are prepared for whatever comes. -- I can't sing the praises of the VA high enough. We were sent to an audiologist, and even though my husband could not tolerate hearing aids, the examination unearthed the conditions of his service, which contributed to his deafness. We now receive a small benefit which helps keep us in our home. If the time comes that he will need special equipment, I will go back to the VA. Thank you for the info. GloRo