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

My mom isin early stage alziemers & has hearing loss but is unwilling to accept help for it. I wish I knew what to do. Thank goodness your husband is willing to do this!!!!

Our ENT said hearing aids do help with dementia, however my husband will not wear his it’s a sore point but I have to pick my battles. Lately I refuse to raise my voice so I know he doesn’t hear everything I say but there comes a time when I have to think of me for a change. It’s the same with the tv being loud I don’t think I should have to sit and have my ears blown out. Sorry! Bad day today. I do try my best.

Hi @storm1223, it is not uncommon for people to not want to seek help for hearing loss. You may be interested in this related discussion in the Hearing Loss support group:

- What do you do when someone is in denial about their hearing loss?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/when-bff-wont-get-tested/

Not a good day. I probably should not reply because hearing aids do make a difference. However, my husband has ALZ and misplaces them in odd places so often that I often don't bother putting them in for him. Today is one of those days. He went to bed in a snit, refused to take his pills, change into pjs or remove the hearing aids. This morning they are nowhere to be found. My phone connects to them to adjust volume, so I know they are here in the house somewhere. I don't know whether I would have spent the $ given the circumstances, I find myself in now. For me hearing aids are just one more way to poke the bear. He doesn't really watch TV now, but in the past we had earphone amplifiers for him. He really doesn't comprehend much of what is going on, conversation, direction and hearing aids don't help that now. Last night our 5 year granddaughter came to me and said,"Could you help me. Boppa doesn't understand me, and I want him to come to have dinner." It broke my heart. I'm ambivalent on the subject. You need to weigh the pros and the cons. To me they are just one more hurdle to jump in the day.

Advice. He refused to acknowledge his hearing loss; wouldn't go to the audiologist. Nothing. He ran into some medical issues with falling, pacemaker, etc and had many doctor appointments. I just made one with the audiologist without telling him where we were going. Sneaky, I know.
He did roll with the program of getting the aids after the audiologist showed him his abysmal results, but that was 5 months ago. A lot can happen in that short time in the life of a ALZ patient. For me, it is more aggravation than it is worth, but at the beginning, it was very good. Speaking up and repeating over and over is exhausting.

I am so with you. I wake up exhausted and find I am turning into a robot. I do the necessary things which and I find even the basic things I find exhausting. I found this at my oncologist the other day it’s from someone who has a caregiver. She writes.
He is my rock. He feeds me, make sure I take my medication on time. he takes me to all my appointments and stays with me. He laughs and cries with me. After two years of lung cancer, which is now in full remission, then double Cataracts , which I still have and then brain cancer which I am being treated for, I wanted to show you just what a caregiver does and how he has helped me on my long journey home I believe the word say it all . I love my husband deeply, but no one expected to be a caregiver, and I will not put him in a home.
My husband was my rock for 40 years now I have be the rock. I used to have a cleaning lady who is very nice. I decided today I am going to call her and ask her to come every other week. I am going to mention to her that her time will not have to be cleaning all the time and ask her if she can spend some of that time with my husband because he loves to chat, I can then go for a massage or anywhere I want to go for a few hours . I need to figure this out, so I can still have fun and have a life after all what is the alternative?
Sorry, I went on so much.