• Home
  • Repairs
  • Products
    • Out of the Box
    • Technology
    • Manufacturers
  • Philosophy
  • Payment Options
  • Contact
  • Blog

Categories
  • Blog (139)
  • Columbia Hearing Tips (163)
  • In The News (28)
  • Reviews (32)
Archives
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • November 2010
« Hearing Care Is Health Care
Availability of Loop Systems »

The Role of Hearing Care In Hospice

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 

PostCategoryIcon Posted in Columbia Hearing Tips
« Hearing Care Is Health Care
Availability of Loop Systems »

Comments are closed.

Home | Repairs | Out of the Box | Technology | Manufacturers | Philosophy | Payment Options | Locations | Blog
(c) 2018 Columbia Hearing Center All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress and website design by MayeCreate Design