Follow
Share

Since many topics appear to get closed fairly quickly, I'm bringing this up again to get updated feedback.



When an aging senior becomes hearing impaired, how well are dry erase boards working for writing to the senior and them being able to respond? Pros/Cons?

Find Care & Housing
I too wonder why this person is not wearing a hearing aide.

Maybe a communication board will help.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1294881637/senior-adultgeriatric-communication?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-art_and_collectibles&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw_9bWBhBGEiwAomyTIjTXEuc0Pz34TQuHtvSXtBMhPKjkw53x5lO3cA5zZP_5ryDi5OSlNBoC2UEQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_22555721185_179700248099_751770838716_pla-314954651933_m__1294881637_12768591&utm_custom2=22555721185&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22555721185&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRIuLsPgr4DVaPOEaE7hS_wey&gclid=CjwKCAjw_9bWBhBGEiwAomyTIjTXEuc0Pz34TQuHtvSXtBMhPKjkw53x5lO3cA5zZP_5ryDi5OSlNBoC2UEQAvD_BwE
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Is there a reason that your person isn't wearing hearing aids? There are now models that are so lightweight, unnoticeable in the ear, and use a charging station rather than tiny batteries that have to be changed. My husband is in late stage dementia and still wears his. They are of tremendous help because he's not isolated as he would be without them.

Loss of hearing is a huge contributor to dementia. Hearing aids conduct sound directly to the brain through the ears, thus preserving the neuron pathways that need to remain active in order for cognition to work. There's a lot of research on this.

I'm not sure that using a white board, or any writing to communicate, would have the same positive effect on the brain. It might work for your purposes but not stimulate the same (or maybe any) neuron pathways. Do your own research!

A white board wouldn't work for my husband or any of the residents in his memory care unit. They are dementia Stage 5 and higher; none of them can read now.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

My mother had impaired hearing and her vision continued to fade up until the end. I never used a dry erase board, but I went through many, many blank notepads-- scribbling questions, offering up food choice options, sharing times and dates, names and even quick jokes. I used a thick Sharpie pen to write to her in large letters. She wrote back in small script using any writing tool she felt like using. It was satisfying and respectful for both of us to continue to communicate like that. I was so weary of the shouting and pantomiming.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to FeelsThinks
Report

My DH is profoundly deaf but he can read lips to a point. He lost his hearing as a child. As said, if the person has cognitivity problems the white board will not work.

All I can say is try the white board. My BIL, hearing problem, showed me how to use a program called notes. It can use speach. So you can have a conversation on the tablet. The app looks like a little yellow table.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

How is this person's cognition? Do they have dementia? How is their vision? Their comprehension? Does the elder need to write their responses as well?

The pros and cons will depend on other variables. A dry erase board is a low-cost solution (which is a con). But the caregiver's handwriting will need to be legible (possible con) and it is slow (a con for me or in a possible medical emergency).

But here are some other ideas that may work better:

Reusable LCD writing tablet
A Boogie Board–style tablet eliminates marker odor, ink stains, and erasing. Lightweight and portable, although screen contrast varies and some models can be difficult to read.

Speech-to-text on a smartphone or tablet
This can be even better for longer conversations because the device converts spoken words into readable text. Accuracy varies with background noise and speech clarity, and someone may need to operate the device for the senior.

Laminated communication board
A sheet with large-print choices such as YES, NO, PAIN, WATER, BATHROOM, and HELP can be easier than repeatedly writing questions, especially when the senior has difficulty writing.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Geaton777
Report
clarice9b Oct 17, 2026
thank you for the response
(0)
Report
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter