Addressing Hearing Loss May Improve Care of Older Adults

Many elderly people suffer from hearing loss. The National Institute on Aging reports that an estimated 3 out of 5 people over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with some form of hearing loss. This statistic increases as a person approaches the age of 75. And nearly half of the population over the age of 75 have some form of hearing loss. Another statistic from the World Health Organization estimates that there are 164.5 million people over age 65 with disabling hearing loss worldwide.

Understanding Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be caused by many factors. A few of these factors can be a disease, heredity, excessive noise or simply the aging process. Often hearing loss in the elderly goes untreated. To this day, it remains one of the most common medical conditions in the United States. There are several common types of hearing loss in the aging community.

The first type and most serious type is called Sensorineural hearing loss or sudden deafness. This type of loss usually occurs within 3 days but can occur all at once. When this occurs, there is always some form of damage to the auditory nerve or inner ear. This form of hearing loss is very profound. It is considered a medical emergency and is usually permanent.

The second type of hearing loss is called Conductive hearing loss. This occurs when certain sound waves are unable to reach the inner ear. The causes of this type of hearing loss may be a punctured eardrum, fluid in the ear, or wax buildup. These conditions can often be rectified with surgery or other types of medical treatment. In most cases, with treatment, hearing loss can be restored.

Another type of hearing loss in the aging community is called Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss. This happens gradually as a person gets older. It seems to be heredity. In most cases, it affects both ears equally. It is due to sudden changes in the inner ear and auditory nerve.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is another hearing condition that affects the elderly. It is usually the first sign of hearing loss. It is not a disease. It is often a sign of other medical problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or allergies. It can be caused by medicine side effects. Sometimes it is caused by ear wax buildup blocking the ear canal. It has been described as a buzzing, hissing, roaring, clicking, ringing sound in the ears. The sounds can be soft or loud. The sounds can come and go and usually can be heard in one or both ears.

Others may suffer from eardrum damaged. This can be caused by trauma to the ear by putting objects in the ear, such as cotton-tipped swabs. It can also be caused by excessive ear pressure or infections.

Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you notice any changes in your hearing. The longer you wait to be seen by a medical professional, the more likely hearing damage may not be corrected. It is very important to have regular hearing screenings after the age of 65. In the majority of cases, hearing loss is a gradual process.

Your hearing specialist should get a baseline audiogram to be able to monitor changes in your hearing if any occur over time. If hearing loss is detected, your hearing health provider will make recommendations for treatment. Be sure to keep regular follow-up scheduled appointments to monitor and prevent further changes.

In many cases, hearing loss can be corrected through the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, other amplification options. You need to get regular hearing exams with their yearly physical. This can be a preventive measure to detect hearing loss in its early stages.

There have been studies that show an association between dementia and hearing loss. However, these studies are not conclusive and it is unclear if one issue causes the other. It has been concluded with high data studies that people with hearing loss have a higher incidence of dementia. It is noticed that as hearing fades, many elder adults withdraw from social settings. They often feel they can't keep up with the flow of conversation around them. These incidents can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation and are also associated with an increased risk of dementia.

In conclusion, with the high risks of hearing loss as you age, be sure to have your hearing tested often. This may prevent permanent hearing damage or loss. Hearing loss when detected early, if not heredity, may be corrected with medical treatment. This can enhance your life and give you additional years of pleasurable hearing enjoyment.