Seeing, Hearing and Living Well As We Age!

In our first article, The Senses We Take For Granted: Vision, Hearing and Healthy Ageing, we asked whether vision and hearing deserve a bigger place in the healthy-ageing conversation.

They do. But the more important question is why.

We don't want to preserve our senses for the sake of our senses.

We want to preserve the life they help us experience.

The hobbies we enjoy. The places we want to travel. Music, sport and culture. Work and independence. Relationships, family and friendships.

Seeing and hearing are woven through so much of how we experience and participate in that life.

Why vision and hearing matter as we age

The World Health Organization describes healthy ageing in terms of maintaining the abilities that enable us to be and do what we value.

Those abilities include seeing and hearing.

That gives us a useful way to think about looking after our senses.

Good vision and hearing help us communicate, understand our surroundings and maintain relationships. They support many of the activities, interests and hobbies we enjoy, and contribute to our ability to remain engaged and independent.

So the question isn't only how well can I see? or how well can I hear?

It's also:

What do my vision and hearing allow me to keep doing?

When something begins to change

Changes in vision and hearing can happen gradually, which means we can become very good at adapting to them.

We compensate. We find workarounds. We change how we do something or, sometimes, how often we do it.

There is nothing inherently wrong with adapting. But there is a difference between adapting to a change we understand and continually compensating for something we have never had properly assessed.

If you notice a change in how well you see or hear, particularly if it begins to affect something you normally do, seeking appropriate professional advice can help establish what is happening and whether any further support is needed. Not every change will require treatment.

The point is to understand the change rather than simply assume it is something you have to accept as you get older.

Seeing ageing from both sides

This can feel particularly relevant for people often in midlife who are supporting ageing parents while managing careers, children, relationships and busy lives of their own.

We may notice changes in a parent's vision or hearing and encourage them to have something checked. We want them to maintain their independence, keep seeing friends, enjoy their interests and continue doing the things that make them them.

At the same time, many of us are beginning to think differently about our own health and how we want to age.

Perhaps the same principle applies.

Looking after our vision and hearing isn't about pursuing perfect sight or perfect hearing.

It's about recognising the role our senses play in helping us continue to participate in the life we value, and seeking help when something begins to change rather than simply accommodating it indefinitely.

Through Lifestyle Vision & Hearing, Wellington Eye Clinic and Beacon Audiology are bringing their respective specialist expertise together to explore this wider view of vision, hearing and healthy ageing.

Because ultimately, we don't want to preserve our senses for the sake of our senses.

We want to preserve the life they help us experience.

Frequently asked

Why are vision and hearing important for healthy ageing?

The World Health Organization includes seeing and hearing among the capacities that contribute to our ability to be and do what we value throughout life.

Should changes in vision or hearing simply be accepted as part of getting older?

Vision and hearing can change with age, but a change shouldn't automatically be dismissed because of age. Appropriate professional assessment can help establish what is happening and whether any action is needed.

When should I seek advice about a change in my vision or hearing?

If you notice a change, particularly if it begins to affect everyday activities, communication or the things you enjoy doing, seeking appropriate professional advice can help you understand it.

Next in the series: What Research Is Learning About Vision, Hearing and Cognitive Health

Next, we'll look at what research is beginning to tell us about the relationship between vision, hearing and cognitive health. We'll also introduce how Wellington Eye Clinic and Beacon Audiology are bringing their specialist expertise together in Cork through Lifestyle Vision & Hearing.