As you age, taking care of your senses is something we don’t often think about until we encounter a problem. The ability to see and hear are two of our most important senses. Our brain uses sight and sound to gather information from the world. Sights and sounds keep us safe from harm and allow us to appreciate the things in life that we love and enjoy. The sight of a loved one, the sound of your favorite record, the voice of your grandchildren are all priceless. To lose these valuable senses can be very difficult to deal with.
These senses can, of course, deteriorate at any point in our lives. However, during our later years it is important to pay particular attention to any changes we notice.
Taking Care Of Your Hearing
Hearing has a tendency to gradually deteriorate. You may not even notice it happening. But when you find that you continually miss things that people are saying, it may not be that they are talking quietly. It is possible, that you are starting to experience hearing loss. Other signs and symptoms to pay attention to might be ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and the need to turn your TV up very loud.
If you start to notice any of these signs, make an appointment with an audiologist, or take an Online Hearing test. The results of this test will tell you whether you need a hearing aid or not, and what type you should get. You may not need a hearing aid at all, and if you are experiencing hearing loss, there may be an underlying infection causing it.
Modern hearing aids tend to be very lightweight and comfortable to wear. You will find that you will enjoy much greater clarity in your hearing once you have one fitted.
Taking Care Of Your Eyesight
It is recommended that you visit your optician at least every two years. You may not notice changes in your eyesight because they usually occur slowly over a prolonged period. However, subtle changes will make it harder for you to see clearly at greater distances, or even closer up. This could cause you problems, and make things like driving your car dangerous.
By having regular eye examinations, the optician will be able to monitor changes in your vision. They will also look for signs that you have glaucoma or cataracts. Again, the early signs of these can be harder to spot. As they progress they may become more noticeable and problematic.
Your optician will talk you through the options available to you for wearing glasses or contact lenses. If you have issues such as glaucoma or cataracts, they may refer you elsewhere, or provide you with information on available options for treatment.
Keep On Taking Care of Your Senses
Ensuring that your senses remain sharp throughout your life will mean that you can enjoy the world around you. By getting regular check-ups you will be able to keep ahead of any deterioration in these areas. Your eyesight and hearing are important and should not be taken for granted.
To glaucoma and cataracts (which are not an issue for me now), I will add macular degeneration, which is a problem for me. A word to the wise: When you get your yearly eye exam, be sure the ophthalmologist checks for signs of this debilitating disease. Fortunately there is treatment, which will help me maintain my independence: ability to read, to drive.
Thank you for adding this important update, Marian.