The Village at Orchard RidgeThe Village at Orchard Ridge
Hearing loss is more than just a medical condition—it’s a quality-of-life issue. The ability to hear impacts how we connect with loved ones, stay safe in our surroundings, and enjoy the little moments that make life rich and meaningful. At The Legacy at North Augusta–National Lutheran Community, we understand that health and well-being, including hearing health, are essential to living your best life.
Whether you’re thriving in our independent living residences or receiving the support of our assisted living services, we’re here to help you stay engaged, confident, and connected. Below are the top 10 signs of hearing loss and why it matters to address them early—especially when you have a community like ours to support your journey.
If you find yourself cranking the volume on your phone to its highest setting just to catch every word, it may not be the phone—it could be your hearing. While phone technology can help, it often can’t compensate for hearing loss. Recognizing this sign early can help prevent miscommunications and frustration.
At The Legacy at North Augusta, we support our residents with assistive devices and on-site coordination with audiologists and healthcare providers. Whether you’re in independent or assisted living, we’ll help you access the right tools and resources.
Conversations become more difficult to follow when multiple people speak at once. You might find it hard to keep track of who is saying what, especially in busy social settings.
Our vibrant, community-focused environment promotes social engagement, but also offers quiet, intimate spaces for one-on-one conversations—so everyone can enjoy connection, at their pace and comfort level.
If others are asking you to turn the volume down—or leaving the room altogether—it might be time to get your hearing checked. Often, turning up the volume doesn’t make dialogue clearer, especially if background music or sound effects are masking speech.
Within our residences, we encourage residents to seek wellness screenings and offer support from local professionals who can help with hearing evaluations or recommend personalized solutions.
Do you feel mentally drained after social gatherings? It’s not just social fatigue—it could be the strain of trying to hear, lip-read and interpret conversations.
At The Legacy at North Augusta, our supportive staff and inclusive lifestyle encourage stress-free socializing. In assisted living, we also offer personal care plans that support each resident’s individual wellness needs, including communication strategies.
Busy restaurants, community events and even dining rooms can present challenges when it comes to hearing. If background noise makes it nearly impossible to understand those around you, this may be a sign of hearing loss.
Our dining experiences are thoughtfully designed to be both sociable and comfortable. From ambient noise control to smaller dining areas, we consider sensory needs in our approach to everyday living.
If “What?” or “Can you repeat that?” has become your go-to response, this could be your ears signaling they need some attention. Some residents find themselves relying on a partner to “translate” what others are saying—another sign it’s time to seek support.
At The Legacy at North Augusta, our caring team is always ready to help you access hearing assessments and provide referrals to trusted specialists. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Does everyone around you suddenly sound like the adult characters in a Charlie Brown cartoon? If voices sound muffled or indistinct, especially higher-pitched ones, you might be experiencing high-frequency hearing loss.
We promote early detection and provide resources so you can continue to hear—and enjoy—the voices of your friends, family and community.
“You want me to eat a frog?” “No, Fred, I said, ‘See the fog.’” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Misunderstandings can be embarrassing, even isolating and are often one of the earliest signs of hearing decline.
Living in a supportive, understanding community like ours makes it easier to seek help early without judgment. From independent living residents to those receiving daily care, everyone deserves clarity and dignity in communication.
9. You Struggle to Hear Children and Women
Children and women generally speak at higher frequencies, which are usually the first to be affected by hearing loss. If your grandchild’s voice sounds faint or you ask your wife to repeat herself more often than your male friends, it’s a sign worth noting.
We treasure intergenerational connections. Our wellness programming can help residents stay involved in family visits, community events and spiritual life—without missing a word.
Feeling annoyed or frustrated during conversations isn’t a personality shift—it may be your body’s response to the stress of trying (and failing) to hear clearly. Communication is fundamental, and when it’s impaired, it’s normal to feel a loss.
That’s why we offer holistic, person-centered care that considers your emotional and physical well-being. Our team works closely with residents and families to ensure communication remains open, respectful and effective.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly one in three people between ages 65 and 74 has hearing loss. That number jumps to nearly half for those over 75. But hearing loss doesn’t have to isolate you.
At The Legacy at North Augusta, we offer:
Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing
Noticing the signs of hearing loss is the first step. Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, The Legacy at North Augusta is ready to support you with compassion, dignity and care.
We invite you to visit us, tour our welcoming community, and learn more about how we help older adults thrive—body, mind, and spirit.
Schedule a visit today or call 540-712-3362 to learn more. Because hearing well means living well.
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