9 Great Activities for Older Adults with Hearing Loss

Jan 25, 2022 · 4

Aging is a natural part of life, and along with it comes various changes in our physical abilities. Hearing loss is one such change that can significantly impact our daily lives. The inability to hear clearly can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, and it can even affect one's cognitive abilities. However, hearing loss does not mean you have to give up on engaging activities. In fact, there are plenty of great activities that can help keep your mind and body active while also accommodating hearing loss. In this blog post, we will explore nine great activities for older adults with hearing loss to enjoy alone or with others. Whether it's taking up a new hobby or attending an event specifically designed for those with hearing loss, there are plenty of options available to stay engaged and connected.

Top 9 Best Activities for People With Hearing Loss

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are not only for kids to keep their minds creative and active. They help in boosting cognitive activity and provide hours of productive fun! If you feel that you're not an artistic soul, you can still keep yourself busy with some fun art and craft activities. You can check out sites like Pinterest for inspiration. They have a lot of easy-to-do projects with step-by-step tutorials for all kinds of fun activities!
Museum and Zoos

Museums and zoos are wonderful sources of entertainment for those suffering from hearing loss. They are highly visually and mentally stimulating without requiring great hearing. In addition, both museums and zoos are generally designed in a way that allows you to see fascinating objects and animals and read about them at your own pace.
Meditation and Yoga

Meditation and yoga both bring peace to your brain. Meditation is a quiet and calm activity that is excellent to help your ears rest. For those with hearing loss, one of the most frustrating things is that it becomes more difficult to distinguish various noises and the sounds seem to get jumbled together. Meditation and yoga are typically quiet activities you can perform peacefully on your own or in a group. Exercise your body and mind simultaneously without having to worry about the frustrations of your hearing loss.
Reading and Writing

If you like to spend your time creating or learning new things, reading and writing are wonderful activities. These activities give rest to your ears and allow you to improve your focus. In addition, by reading and writing regularly, you'll spend a good portion of your day in a peaceful and mentally stimulating place. Reading and writing both allow you to enjoy yourself without having to worry about the stresses of hearing loss.
Gardening

Instead of choosing an activity at a noisy place, consider gardening. Your garden will be your peaceful spot to spend some time of the day and make your mind more active and energetic. Gardening does not require a strong sense of hearing, and you'll even get to enjoy the results of your labor with fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers!
Walking

Walking is considered an excellent activity to keep your body and mind active. In addition to its many benefits, it is very accessible, regardless of where you live. Walk around the block, on a treadmill, or even get up and walk around your home a few times to get your blood pumping. Every step counts! Plus, you can do it alone or with friends! Be sure to watch closely for traffic if you are outside. Otherwise, this is a safe and beneficial activity that requires very little of your hearing!
Swimming

Swimming is on this list due to the multiple benefits it provides to your body. It makes you fit both physically and mentally. Group swim classes are becoming extremely popular among older adults because they are fun and help them socialize. However, you have to be a bit careful while swimming. If you wear hearing aids, you should plan to take them out to avoid damaging them.
Scrapbooking

Even if it's hard for you to listen to things clearly, making memories is easy. Take time to reflect on your favorite memories by choosing scrapbooking as a hobby. All you have to do is take pictures of moments and paste them into your scrapbook. This activity will save your memories while making you popular among your friends and family for preserving their memories, too, in such a beautiful way. This activity can be done in the peace and quiet of your own home. Click here to learn more about creating a photo archive!
Puzzles

Have some time on your hands? Try solving some puzzles! Mind puzzles, including word searches, crossword puzzles, jigsaws, etc., are a great way to prevent brain atrophy by keeping your brain active. And, they are also a lot of fun! You can do these puzzles on your own, at home, or on the go. They don't require any listening and can give you an opportunity to rest your ears while enjoying an entertaining and mind-stimulating activity.

How To Choose an Activity For You?

This is a critical question once you're an older adult suffering hearing loss. Of course, you can pick any random activity to practice as your daily routine. However, you have to consider some things to protect your ears from further damage. These things include:

Don't choose activities that involve noisy places, loud music, or other high-volume things.
Before sticking to an activity, try out 2-3 activities. It'll help you understand which one is best for you according to your interest.
Always consult your doctor before choosing any physical activity. He can guide you to the best activity that is good for you after checking your overall health.

You're blessed with different senses that make your life more meaningful. You might not realize the value of all your senses when they are functioning properly. However, you'll recognize the importance as soon as you lose any. Hearing loss can have a significant effect on your life as you age. But, choosing activities suitable for people with hearing loss can help you enjoy your life to the maximum without worrying about your disability.