Hearing Care for Seniors
We are an independent audiology practice run by clinicians, not salespeople. For an older adult, that shows up as patient appointments, plain-language explanations, and technology chosen for how someone actually lives, not for what is easiest to sell.
At a glance
- We care for The Stratford residents and families from our nearby San Mateo and San Carlos offices.
- Early signs of hearing loss are worth a simple test: a louder TV, repeated requests, trouble on the phone.
- Rechargeable, easy-to-use hearing aids and steady local follow-up work best for seniors.
Recognizing hearing loss in a loved one
Hearing loss often creeps in gradually. Turning the TV up, asking people to repeat themselves, trouble on the phone, or pulling back from group conversation are common early signs. A simple hearing test tells us clearly where things stand and what, if anything, to do.
Hearing aids designed for ease of use
For many Stratford residents, the best hearing aid is the simplest one to live with: rechargeable so there are no fiddly batteries, with larger controls and automatic settings that adjust on their own. Comfort and simplicity are what turn a device into one that is worn every day.
Hearing and the risk of falling
Lin and Ferrucci, in Archives of Internal Medicine in 2012, associated every 10 decibels of hearing loss with roughly 1.4 times the odds of falling. Separately, the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention lists untreated hearing loss as the largest modifiable risk factor in midlife. Both are associations measured across groups of people rather than proof of cause in any one person. They are a reason to have a resident's hearing checked, not a reason to be frightened.
A partner for families over the long term
Hearing needs change, and hearing aids need periodic cleaning and reprogramming. Being close to The Stratford means residents and families can rely on the same audiologist for ongoing adjustments, and we are glad to keep caregivers in the loop.
Frequently asked questions
A few questions worth asking
My parent at The Stratford resists getting their hearing checked. Any advice?
It is very common. Framing a test as routine, like an eye exam, and emphasizing staying part of family conversations often helps. A calm, no-pressure evaluation with us can ease the worry.
Are hearing aids hard for an older person to manage?
They do not have to be. We choose rechargeable models with simple, automatic operation and show the resident and a family member exactly how to use and clean them, so there is little to remember.
Do you see residents who already have hearing aids that aren't working well?
Yes, often. Many hearing aids underperform simply because of fit or programming. We are glad to reassess devices from elsewhere and get them dialed in properly.