Specialized Hearing Care for People Living with Dementia
- Michele DiStefano, AuD, CCC-A
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month
Michele DiStefano, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Director of Audiology, Center for Hearing and Communication
When someone you love is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, hearing care may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet untreated hearing loss can make communication harder, increase confusion, and even accelerate cognitive decline. Addressing hearing is an essential part of dementia care—and at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), we’ve developed specialized services to support individuals and families at every stage of cognitive change.
Why Hearing Care Matters in Dementia
When hearing loss goes untreated, the brain must work harder to decode sounds, leaving fewer resources for memory and comprehension. That extra effort can heighten frustration, social withdrawal, and behavioral symptoms often associated with dementia.
The good news is that hearing care can make a meaningful difference. Even small improvements—through assistive devices or hearing aids—can help maintain connection, engagement, and safety for the person living with dementia and those who care for them.
Specialized Evaluation for Every Individual
At CHC, our approach to hearing assessment for people with cognitive changes is highly individualized. Some clients may need more time or a different testing approach. We often begin with a preliminary discussion by phone or Zoom that includes the client and a family member to understand specific needs, challenges, and goals. This preparation allows us to create the right accommodations before the in-person evaluation.
Testing is always adjusted to each person’s abilities. For those with mild cognitive decline, we might modify speech testing to account for word-retrieval issues. For individuals with more advanced dementia or motor limitations, we use alternative response methods and testing modifications. There are many ways to make the test more accommodating, ensuring every person can succeed and feel comfortable.
Technology That Fits the Person—Not the Other Way Around
Today’s hearing technology offers countless options, including rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, and artificial intelligence that adjusts automatically to the environment. But for someone living with dementia, simplicity is crucial. Spatial orientation can become confusing—someone may not remember which device belongs in which ear or how to place it properly.
To make daily use easier, we simplify wherever possible. Smaller, one-piece devices are often best, and we label chargers clearly or add tactile cues like Velcro or raised dots so that users can identify the right and left sides by touch rather than sight. These small modifications can make a big difference in helping a person use and manage their hearing aids independently and successfully.
Every fitting is personalized. We consider what matters most—television, music therapy, speech therapy, or communication with loved ones—and match technology accordingly. Many hearing aids now allow audiologists to monitor or program devices remotely, and even test hearing through the hearing aid itself. This has been a huge advancement and a welcome convenience for families. Caregivers, who are often already stretched thin, no longer need to travel back and forth to the audiologist for every small adjustment. CHC offers remote programming and adjustments to hearing aids, reducing stress and making hearing care more accessible and sustainable over time.
Functional Listening Assessments: Looking Beyond the Ear
Sometimes it’s not immediately clear whether a listening problem stems from hearing loss or cognitive change. CHC’s speech therapists perform functional listening assessments to explore this distinction. These evaluations measure comprehension in different listening environments and inform customized treatment or auditory training plans. By understanding how hearing and cognition interact in daily life, we can help clients and families communicate more effectively and confidently.
A Comprehensive, Compassionate Model of Care
In addition to audiological services, CHC offers a full continuum of care for children and adults—including support groups, mental health counseling, speech therapy and academic support; many services are accessible remotely from the home.
As a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), I am trained to adapt testing and technology for individuals with dementia and to guide caregivers through every step of the process.
I believe an audiologist should treat each person as they would want themselves or their family treated—with patience, flexibility, and respect for each unique hearing journey. Sometimes it takes more than one visit, and we’re always ready to think creatively to find what works best. We can schedule extended appointments, offer walk-ins for technical issues, and provide sliding-scale fees so that hearing care remains accessible to all.
Take the Next Step
If you are a caregiver, a provider or family member caring for someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, now is the time to address hearing health. Early identification and treatment can make a profound difference in quality of life and cognitive well-being.
Visit CHChearing.org or call (917) 305-7766 to learn more about CHC’s specialized dementia and hearing services—and how we can help your loved one hear, connect, and thrive.
About the Author
Michele DiStefano, AuD, CCC-A, is Director of CHC's Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center and Berelson Hearing Technology Center and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) with specialized training and certification for caring for individuals with dementia. Dr. DiStefano joined CHC in 2017 with expertise in pediatric audiology honed at Beth Israel Medical Center, Clarke Schools, and New York Eye and Ear. A graduate of the audiology program at CUNY-Brooklyn College and AT Still University of Health Sciences, Dr. DiStefano sees children and adults at CHC with a focus on comprehensive diagnostic testing, fitting of amplification/FM systems, post-fitting counseling and Early Intervention.
