Hearing loss is one of the most common issues in elders that is caused due to aging. Statistics say that approximately one in three people between the ages 65 and 75 experience difficulty in hearing and nearly half of those after 75 experience complete hearing loss. This can affect their social health in greater numbers as it can cause them to feel cut off from the whole world. Many people who are suffering from hearing loss don’t want to admit it and become depressed and withdrawn.
Often people with hearing loss are mistaken for someone who is confused or unresponsive, which can cause negative reactions among others which can affect the patient mentally and can lead them to depression. And one of the biggest concerns with people with hearing loss is safety. They fear that they won’t be able to hear a fire alarm or can miss a loud warning or siren, etc. Which can be very frustrating for them and can affect them mentally.
It is important to know how you hear before knowing the causes of hearing loss. The human ear consists of three major areas: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear.
Sound waves travel through the outer ear and reach the eardrum and three small bones of the middle ear. They amplify the vibrations and send them to the inner ear, where they pass through the fluids of the cochlea, which consists of thousands of tiny hair that senses the vibrations and then transmits the sound signals to the brain.
Aging or loud noises can subject their hair or nerve cells in the cochlea to wear and tear. This can cause reduced efficiency in the transmission of sound signals and can result in hearing loss.
Drugs like antibiotic gentamicin, sildenafil and some chemotherapy drugs can result in damage to the inner ear.
Some diseases like meningitis which can cause high fever can result in the damage of cochlea.
Changes in the structures of the inner ear.
Changes in blood flow to the ear.
Changes in the way the brain senses speech and sound.
Trouble in hearing consonants.
Difficulty in understanding words when there are background noises.
Muffling of speech and other sounds.
Frequently asking others to speak slowly and loudly.
Withdrawal from conversations.
If you think that you or the seniors in your family are experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss, then take them to your doctor. They may ask you to undergo a full body examination in order to rule out all other causes of hearing loss and will diagnose you with age-related hearing loss. They may also look into your ear using an otoscope. Then, they may refer you to an audiologist who can determine how much hearing loss has occurred.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for age-related hearing loss. If your doctor confirms that you have age-related hearing loss, he may work with you to improve your hearing. You may be recommended with:
Hearing aids to assist you in hearing.
Sign language or lip reading lessons.
Cochlear implant. Here a neuroprosthetic electronic device will be surgically implanted in the patient’s ear which will improve their hearing, though it cannot restore the original hearing abilities. Normally it is recommended only for patients who find it very hard to hear anything.
Avoid continuous exposure to loud noises.
Monitor blood sugar level if you have diabetes.
Wear ear protection or earplugs in places with loud noises.
Get your hearing tested if you have any of the above symptoms.
Remove earwax properly.
Quit smoking.
There are lots of ways in which you can be diagnosed with hearing loss and there are even more ways to prevent that from happening from a younger age. We all know that prevention is better than cure, and it is best for us that way. Let us all make sure to follow all the possible preventive measures to protect our ears as much as we dedicate ourselves to protecting our eyes. And make sure to take care of the people who are suffering from hearing loss, remember that they can be going through a lot, and try to understand them.
Author: Team 60plus India
Keywords: hearing loss, age-related, seniors, cochlea, damage in ear, hearing aid, causes, symptoms.
Tags: #hearingloss #hearingaids #hearing #audiology #deaf #audiologist #hearingaid #hearinglossawareness #hearinghealth #hardofhearing #cochlearimplant #hearingtest #seniorcitizen #seniorliving #seniorcare #elderly #seniorhealth #covid #seniorcitizens #elderlycare #seniors #seniorlife
