Hearing affects moods

Q: My Dad has become withdrawn in recent years and has trouble following simple conversations. A neurologist tested him and said his brain function and memory capability are fine. Could his hearing be involved?

A: Your father might indeed be showing the signs of a significant hearing loss. People respond differently when their hearing loss becomes severe enough. A small percentage of people become louder and more boisterous. A larger number of those affected by severe hearing loss pull away from interactions and become less confident with conversations.

In fact, recent medical studies show a striking similarity between the signs of dementia and the effects of hearing loss: a change in mood and personality, difficulty remembering new information, withdrawal from social situations, difficulty having a conversation, and a sense of confusion.

Find a good hearing center that will run a thorough hearing test for your father. They should also be willing to provide him with a comprehensive hearing aid evaluation. Go with him, too, so your voice can be used during the evaluation. If his hearing is at fault, your Dad might brighten up considerably once he hears your voice better!

Call us at the Better Hearing Center, 512-282-4327, for a complimentary ear check-up, hearing test, and hearing aid evaluation. We also provide month-long, no obligation hearing aid trials to gauge their benefits. This lets you test how well hearing aids fulfill your needs before you purchase them.