As people get older, there are some inevitable changes that their bodies and minds will go through. One such change is hearing loss.
There are many reasons why an individual may experience hearing loss, and aging isn’t the only one.
Around one in three people over the age of 65 will experience hearing loss due to aging, excessive noise, disease, or simply genetics, and around half of the people older than 75 have a hard time hearing.
What are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Seniors?
There are many signs and symptoms that can indicate hearing loss. Some of them are:
- Frequently asking people to repeat what they are saying
- Finding it difficult to follow conversations with two or more people talking
- Having trouble hearing over the phone
- Turning up the television and radio so loud that it begins to negatively affect others
- Being unable to hear due to background noise
- Being concerned that others are always mumbling
- Having trouble understanding the voices of women and children, due to their high frequency
2 Categories of Hearing Loss
There are two major categories hearing loss falls into, sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is an inner ear or auditory nerve damage. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss can be caused by a punctured eardrum or something as simple as earwax or fluid buildup. This means that sound waves can’t reach the inner ear. Surgery or medical treatments are usually able to treat conductive hearing loss.
2 Most Common Types of Hearing Loss in Older Adults
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a constant ringing in the ears, it is rather common in older people. It is a symptom and not a disease itself, but it can create hearing problems.
People with tinnitus can complain about a ringing, hissing, clicking, or buzzing sound in their ears. It comes and goes and doesn’t always happen in both ears equally.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss. This comes on gradually as an individual gets older. This hearing loss in seniors can also be hereditary. It occurs due to changes in the inner ear and auditory nerve. Usually, this occurs in both ears, with the loss being gradual and over time.
What Causes Loss of Hearing?
Loud Noises
Many things can cause hearing loss in people of all ages. One of the most common causes is loud noises.
Noise-related hearing loss is preventable, try not to listen to loud music or television and use earplugs when doing things like using a lawnmower.
Earwax and Fluid Buildup
As indicated above, earwax and fluid buildup can block sounds from reaching your inner ear, it is important to speak with your doctor if you have concerns.
A punctured eardrum can also cause hearing loss. This can happen by inserting objects into your ear, like cotton swabs. An eardrum can also be damaged due to an infection or irregular pressure.
Health Conditions
Health conditions can also cause hearing loss. Common health conditions in the elderly that can cause hearing loss are diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, a brain injury, or a tumor.
Medications
Certain medications can also contribute to hearing loss. Ototoxic (having a toxic effect on the ear or its nerve supply) medications are known to damage the inner ear, and sometimes the damage may be permanent. Some antibiotics and even aspirin at high dosages can cause inner ear problems.
Heredity
Heredity can also cause hearing loss. Sometimes this hearing loss will happen at birth and other times, it can show up later in life.
Can Hearing Loss be Prevented?
Some types of hearing loss can be prevented. Hearing loss due to loud noises can be prevented by using ear plugs, turning down loud music and television, and not sticking foreign objects in your ears.
Some hearing loss cannot be prevented, but it is important to know the signs and symptoms so you know when to talk to your doctor about your concerns.
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Our compassionate CAREGivers provide in-home care for seniors with a variety of needs, including day-to-day assistance in the event your elderly family member has difficulty hearing.
Give us a call at 337-282-2350 to schedule a free, no-obligation Care Consultation today to learn more about how we can help you!
