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 notices 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 affect 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 blog is for informational purposes only. For any health
issues and concerns, please consult your health care provider.
MorningStar
at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us
apart from other senior living options.
Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring
staff with a felt calling to serve. Set
in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style
amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a
call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community.
Source:
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss
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