The care of those in hospice presents a multitude of challenges for patients as well as their caregivers and family members. Amid pressing concerns such as medical care, pain management and legal and financial concerns, families often become overwhelmed and hearing loss is often at the bottom of the list of priorities. Hearing loss in hospice patients can often be mistaken for dementia or confusion, so the inattention can leave a patient feeling helpless, marginalized and lonely.

It’s a substantial problem – according to the Centers for Disease Control as 80 percent of Americans ages 85 and older have hearing loss to some degree. In addition, many cancer patients can lose hearing due to effects of chemotherapy or certain ototoxic pain medications. All in all, more than one in five patients in hospice has hearing loss.

Among many others, two important issues for end-of life care are pain management and social, cultural and religious needs. These alone make communication the most essential element when it comes to hospice care. For example, a patient needs to have a complete understanding of the medical care being provided, including pain management and medications; not only for safety reasons, but also in order to feel a sense of control. How are they feeling? What do they want? These questions, asked and understood, can go a long way toward improving the quality of care.

Some hospice workers, in the absence of widespread use of hearing aids among their patients have begun carrying a personal amplifier to allow them to communicate more effectively with patients.

Content Provided by Health Hearing 

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