Hearing loss in seniors is often viewed as a communication disorder, but it can have far-reaching effects on their physical health as well. When untreated, hearing loss can lead to cognitive decline, social isolation, and an increased risk of falls, which require rehabilitation. Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are critical stages in the recovery process, designed to help seniors regain strength, mobility, and function in their daily lives. Unfortunately, the connection between hearing loss and successful PT/OT outcomes is often overlooked and underestimated.
By addressing hearing loss, seniors can actively engage in PT/OT activities, better communicate with their therapists, speed up therapy sessions and reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
The impact of hearing loss on physical health
The connection between hearing loss and physical health is complex and multifaceted. For example, hearing loss can lead to social isolation, which can increase feelings of loneliness and depression. This can be a fertilizer for other diseases, with wear and tear on the body including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, poor immunity, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and dementia.
Additionally, hearing loss can affect a senior’s balance and increase their risk of falls, which is due to a decreased ability to detect environmental cues, resulting in injuries such as fractures and head trauma. They may also experience increased levels of fatigue due to the cognitive load required to process sounds.
Furthermore, hearing loss can make it harder for residents to communicate effectively with the people who are providing them with care and medical treatment, such as their caregivers and healthcare providers, like Physical and Occupational Therapists and care managers. This can lead to difficulties in receiving the appropriate care and treatment planning they need. However, if communication and understanding are improved, individuals can feel more confident and engaged in their treatment, resulting in better outcomes and overall well-being.
How eversound aids in PT/OT
Eversound’s wireless headphone system is a versatile tool that can be used to aid in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and care planning, where clear communication is crucial for successful treatment. By providing clear, amplified sound directly to the patient, Eversound can help patients understand and participate in their care, as well as reduce the cognitive load by lessening the effort required to process sounds. This can lead to increased engagement in therapy and more successful recovery. It also means less stressful sessions for the therapy staff.
In addition to aiding in therapy sessions, Eversound can also be used in care planning meetings to ensure that all parties are active members of the discussion. When residents can hear better, they feel more confident because they can comprehend their personalized treatment plan and actively participate in physical movements like stretching, as well as cognitive activities such as regaining memory skills necessary for everyday life.
4 key benefits of using eversound in therapy sessions
Some of the key benefits of using Eversound in physical and occupational therapy include:
1. Improved communication and engagement between therapists and residents
Eversound allows therapists to communicate more effectively with their patients. The headphones provide clear, crisp sound that makes it easier for residents to hear and understand instructions, which leads to better engagement and participation in therapy sessions. Additionally, the enhanced communication feature allows therapists to respond to residents in real-time, creating a more interactive experience.
2. The portable system makes therapy easy from anywhere
Since Eversound is portable, you can take your sessions outside while maintaining the ability to effectively communicate no matter the environment. For Alzheimer’s patients, PT activities like gardening and dancing can not only help them work on their memory and movement but are something they can also enjoy taking part in while not being in a traditional medical setting. This creates a more natural and comfortable environment for residents, which adds to a more positive experience.
3. Reduce distractions and repetition
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and care planning sessions can often be frustrating for both patients and staff. Patients may struggle to hear instructions or follow along with exercises, while staff may have to constantly repeat themselves or pause sessions to ensure everyone is on the same page.
The seniors find Eversound’s equipment easy to use, comfortable to wear, and equipped with crystal-clear audio that can be tailored to their hearing needs. With Eversound, patients can hear and understand instructions, and staff can speak at a regular volume and pace without the need for constant pausing and repeating. This enhances the effectiveness of sessions, helping patients concentrate on their recovery while enabling staff to provide more productive care.
4. Mitigate the Risk of Repeated Injuries and Falls
As individuals age, the likelihood of falls and injuries increases, particularly for those undergoing physical or occupational therapy. Eversound is an effective means of mitigating these risks. It provides clear and concise instructions for exercises, reducing the chance of injury due to misinterpretation. Additionally, Eversound offers an audible warning system, alerting therapists to potential mistakes before they occur, and providing auditory cues during exercises to help patients maintain balance.
Minimizing the risk of injury through clear instructions, warnings, and auditory cues, facilitates better understanding and patient compliance, ultimately reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Improve communication, comfort, and outcomes with eversound
Eversound is a powerful resource that can significantly improve the physical and occupational therapy experience for seniors in assisted living and memory care communities. By using Eversound, therapists can enhance communication, minimize distractions, and make the therapy sessions more comfortable and enjoyable for seniors and themselves. Furthermore, Eversound enables patients to fully participate in their care and comprehend their treatment plans, leading to more positive long-term physical outcomes.
Explore the benefits of Eversound and see how it can transform the therapy experience for your residents. Contact us today to schedule a demo and learn more about how to implement Eversound in your community.
