Effective Management of Hearing Loss for Seniors

Hearing impairment/loss is a problem affecting a lot of people today. It can be caused by aging, heredity, noise, disease and even dentures .

Hearing happens to be a composite sense that has to do with detection of sounds by both ears and the ability of the brain to decode the sounds, this involves speech sound. 

The following are determinants of how much damage hearing loss can cause to the quality of one’s life.

• The level of impaired hearing

• Records of exposure to high sounds, environmental pollutants or toxin related to drugs which can impair hearing If both or just one ear is affected

• Age

• The extent of hearing loss on different frequencies/pitches

• The specific auditory system that is mainly affected- like the brain, neutral pathways, inner ear or middle ear

• The extent to which speech sound is recognized

Common in Adulthood

A great number of adults today are suffering from hearing loss. It is believed that about 17%, which translates to 36 million of adults in the U.S have reported some level of hearing loss to their health experts. 

A strong link exists between reported hearing loss and age. 18% of Americans between the ages of 45-64 years, 30% between 65-74 years and 47% of 75 years and above have got hearing issues.

Most cases of hearing loss have been recorded in men than in women.

Those with this impediment have problem keeping a conversation with their family and associates. They often have problems comprehending instructions given to them by the physician, hearing alarms and doorbells, and reacting to warnings.

Hearing Loss- Types

There are various forms of hearing loss. These forms ranges from a mild state of impairment where patients misses some particular high-pitched sounds like voices of children and that of women to a severe state of deafness. This can be inherited, or can come up as a result of trauma, use of specific medications, diseases, or a history of prolonged exposure to high sounds.

Generally, here are two classes of hearing loss namely:

1. Sensorineural hearing loss: This occurs as a result of a damage done to the inner part of the ear or the cochlear nerve popularly referred to as auditory nerve.  This happens to be a permanent type of hearing loss.
2. Conductive hearing loss: This is as a result of inability of wave sounds to get into the inner ear. This can be caused by a build-up of earwax, fluid, or a damaged eardrum.  This type of hearing loss can be restored by surgery or medical treatment.

Presbycusis

Presbycusis is a form of hearing impairment which gradually develops with age. This is brought about by change in the auditory nerve, inner ear, outer ear or the middle ear. It is caused by loud sounds, head injury, certain illness and infections, specific drug usage, heredity, aging, and circulatory issues like high blood pressure.

Presbycusis is common with people of ages above 50 years, and their hearing ability gradually depreciates as the years go by. This hearing impairment makes it difficult for patients to easily pick what people are saying and they are irritated by loud sounds.

Tinnitus: A Symptom of Hearing Loss

This is a common symptom in seniors. It comes in the form of a clicking, hissing, roaring, buzzing or ringing sound. Sometimes it is usually temporary. It is sometimes heard in a single hear, while other times it is heard in both; it can be a soft or loud sound.

Tinnitus is only a symptom and not a disease. It usually goes with any of the types of hearing loss which can be as a result of some drug usage. Just a piece of earwax obstructing the ear canal can result to tinnitus. This can also be caused by a number of health issues.

Immediately visit your health specialist if you suspect tinnitus. You could be further referred to a nose, ear, and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist), popularly called an ENT. The ENT will conduct a physical checkup on your neck, ears and head and conduct a hearing test to ascertain the right prescription to be given.

Hearing Loss Can Turn Severe

Most people suffer in silence with their hearing impairment. Seniors who have some form of impaired hearing are often depressed and may decide to shy away from interacting with people so as to avoid being embarrassed because of their inability to properly get what is being said by other people.  This impairment makes people to wrongly believe that the aged are unresponsive, confused, or not cooperative.

Hearing problems will gradually develop into severe conditions if not properly managed. You can be helped if you have a have hearing loss. Simply visit your health expert. There are certain medications, hearing aids, surgery and some special training that you can choose from in your path to dealing with your hearing impairment. If you can’t afford hearing aids because of low income, your credit score or bad financial situations, look for external help. 

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