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McKnight’s eBook – Serving Residents Who Have Hearing Loss 

Age-related hearing loss is common, affecting nearly 50% of adults aged 75 and older. Untreated, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline and can significantly impact the quality of life for residents in senior care communities. Factors like diabetes and certain medications can worsen hearing loss. Fortunately, there are various tools and resources available to senior living operators that can enhance residents’ quality of life:

  • Technological aids range from hearing devices to live captioning and telehealth programs. Positive portrayals of hearing aid use in media, like “The Golden Bachelor,” help reduce the stigma associated with hearing loss. 
  • Simple interventions, such as “shake awake” alarm clocks and visual doorbells, can significantly improve residents’ daily lives. Captioned telephones can allow residents with hearing loss to see and hear what people are saying over the phone. 
  • Collaborating with interior designers and acoustical engineers to optimize living environments. Addressing acoustics in active areas ensures that residents can interact more effectively.

Download this eBook to learn more about supporting residents with hearing loss. 

FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE BUT REGISTERED USERS WITH HEARING LOSS FROM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) CAPTIONED TELEPHONES WITH THE CAPTIONS TURNED ON. Automatic speech recognition software generates captions of what the other party to the call says, and, in certain circumstances, a live communications assistant may be included on the call to make needed corrections and/or add call details. The captions are then sent to the phone. There is a cost for each minute of captions generated, paid from a federally administered fund. To learn more, visit fcc.gov. Third-party charges may apply: the Hamilton CapTel phone requires high-speed internet access (Wi-Fi capable) and in some cases, may require telephone service. When using Hamilton CapTel on a smartphone or tablet and not on Wi-Fi, a data plan is required. Hamilton CapTel may be used to make 911 calls but may not function the same as traditional 911 services. For more information about the benefits and limitations of Hamilton CapTel and Emergency 911 calling, visit HamiltonCapTel.com/911. Courtesy of Cisco Systems, Inc. Unauthorized use not permitted. “Noah” is a registered trademark of HIMSA II K/S in the USA. Outside the USA, “Noah” is a trademark of HIMSA II K/S. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. Copyright ©2024 Hamilton Relay. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a/ Hamilton Telecommunications.