Hearing Loss in Older Adults

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those 75 and older have some difficultly hearing.  This can cause seniors to experience difficulty understanding and following doctor's orders, responding to warnings, and hearing doorbells and alarms.” Hearing loss can leave people feeling isolated as they have problems following and engaging in conversations with family and friends.  

The medical term for hearing loss is presbycusis; and typically starts gradually by affecting the ability to hear higher pitched sounds.  A person may feel like the volume is loud enough on the TV but the dialogue is mumbled. Experts explain this is caused by the loss of nerve hair cells in the Cochlea or the deterioration of other parts of the inner ear or auditory nerves.   Generally age-related hearing loss affect both ears equally. 

High blood pressure and diabetes, both common health conditions in older adults, can also affect the hearing as does some types of chemotherapy drugs.  Furthermore people of all ages are at risk of hearing loss with long-term exposure to loud noise such as on a jobsite. 

If you or a loved one seems to be having trouble hearing, NIDCD has a checklist of questions to answer.  For example, 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? Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?   If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, discuss the problem with your health care provider. They will refer you to an otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and neck.  If a problem is found, you will be referred to an audiologist who will determine the type and degree of hearing loss. From there you may be fitted for a hearing aid.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For any health issues and concerns, please consult your health care provider.

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Source: nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss#1