AGING IN PLACE WITH HEARING LOSS
Managing Hearing Loss at Home While Aging in Place:
Reducing Fall Risk, Enhancing Safety, and Staying Connected
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions affecting adults. Hearing loss can create serious safety challenges at home. Missing important alerts like smoke alarms, doorbells, or phone calls puts your safety at risk. Beyond safety, hearing loss can make it harder to stay connected with loved ones. Background noise, high ceilings, and hard surfaces often cause echoes and reverberation, making communication frustrating and difficult. On top of that, hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of falls, which could limit long-term independence.
August 18, 2025
6 min read
Written by
Hannah Glick, AuD, PhD, CCC-A
Why Hearing Loss Requires Thoughtful Home Modifications
Hearing loss changes the way you experience your home environment. Key alert sounds, such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as doorbells and security alarms, can be harder to detect, which may increase risks not only from emergencies but also from potential break-ins or intruders. Hearing loss also impacts spatial awareness, contributing to a higher risk of falls.
Communication challenges caused by background noise, echoes, and limited sightlines can strain relationships and affect your overall well-being. Thoughtful home modifications can help you overcome these obstacles, creating a living space that is safer, more comfortable, and better connected.
Practical Home Modifications That Enhance Safety and Connection
At Onni Home, we provide aging in place solutions that help you hear what matters and stay connected with the people you love, all while keeping your home safe and comfortable.
Simple changes you can do yourself include:
Getting your hearing tested regularly and addressing hearing loss with appropriate hearing technology (such as hearing aids) to improve awareness and communication.
Adding adjustable lamps or task lighting to improve visibility of faces for better lipreading and nonverbal cues.
Rearranging furniture to maximize clear sightlines and reduce visual barriers.
Clearing walkways and removing obstacles to reduce fall risk and improve safe movement throughout your home.
Professional modifications that make a real difference:
Smart alert systems that connect smoke detectors, doorbells, and phones to your smartphone or wearable devices, so you never miss critical alerts.
Sound-absorbing panels professionally installed to reduce reverberation and background noise, improving speech clarity and comfort.
Installing insulated windows to reduce outside traffic noise, creating a quieter environment in key areas of your home
Fall risk reduction upgrades such as enhanced lighting, grab bars, and anti-slip flooring, designed to help reduce your risk of falling at home
Customized home layout adjustments to improve navigation, safety, and accessibility tailored to your unique needs.
Our expert team ensures these solutions are installed properly, meeting local safety codes and customized to fit your home and lifestyle.
Onni Home: Your Full-Service Aging in Place Partner
As a local, family-owned business serving Boulder and Jefferson County, Colorado, Onni Home is your trusted partner for aging in place. We start with a thorough home safety assessment, develop a personalized plan, and manage every step, from professional renovations to connecting you with community services that support your independence and social well-being.
Take Control of Your Home Safety and Connection
Don’t let hearing loss compromise your safety at home or your relationships. Reach out to Onni Home today to schedule your home safety assessment and begin creating a safer, more connected living space. Visit our website for more information and helpful resources on aging in place with hearing loss.
