According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Commucation Disorders (NIDCD) about one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has
hearing loss, and nearly half of those 75 and older have difficultly
hearing. This can make it hard for seniors
to “understand and follow a doctor's advice, to respond to warnings, and to
hear doorbells and alarms.” Difficultly
hearing also makes it hard for many elderly people to
follow and engage in conversation with their family and friends.
Known as presbycusis, hearing loss in seniors generally occurs
gradually and initially affects the ability to hear higher pitched sounds. The person may notice that while the speech
is loud enough, it sounds as if the talker is mumbling. The condition is commonly caused by the loss
of nerve hair cells in the Cochlea or the deterioration of other parts of the
inner ear or auditory nerves. Age-related hearing loss typically affects
both ears equally.
In some cases, health
conditions more common among the elderly such as high blood pressure and
diabetes can additionally affect hearing.
Furthermore, certain medications including some types of chemotherapy
drugs can cause hearing loss.
The NIDCD has a
checklist to help seniors determine if they are experiencing hearing
problems. Questions include: Do you feel
frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty
hearing them?; Do you have difficulty hearing when someone speaks in a
whisper?; and Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?
Another cause of hearing
loss can be the result of long-term exposure to loud noise and is one of the
most common occupational hazards. The
exposure damages the sensory hair cells in the ears, which do not grow
back. It is estimated that 10 million
Americans have irreversible hearing loss due to long-term exposure to
noise.
Seniors should
discuss any hearing problems with their health care provider who will refer
them to an otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases
of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. The
otolarynogogist will test your hearing, and if a problem is found, will refer
you on to an audiologist who will determine the type and degree of hearing loss. Either they or a hearing aid specialist will
fit you for a hearing aid.
This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with
any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.
MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique
vision to senior living with
our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built
on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to
serve. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within
an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best
memory care in Colorado Springs.
Source:
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss
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