Learning how to live with and deal with hearing loss in the elderly

Hearing loss (or hearing loss) can be caused by noise, aging, disease, and genetics. Elderly people with hearing loss often find it difficult to talk to friends or family, and face many inconveniences in daily life.

Older adults with hearing loss may become depressed, frustrated, or embarrassed by not understanding what others are saying. So, let’s learn with Hello Bacsi the causes of hearing loss as well as learn how to live with the disease!

What is hearing loss?

The function of the organs in the elderly body will change. Among them, hearing loss is one of the most common aging conditions.

Nearly half of adults over the age of 65 have some degree of hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss is also known as senile hearing loss. Although age-related hearing loss is not a life-threatening condition, it can significantly affect an older person’s quality of life if left untreated.

What is the cause of hearing loss? How many types of hearing loss are there?

There are two common types of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when a person has damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.
• Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. It can be caused by earwax buildup, fluid, or a perforated eardrum. Medical or surgical treatment can restore conductive hearing loss.

Sudden hearing loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss or sudden hearing loss is hearing loss in one or both ears at the same time for a period of up to 3 days. This is one of those medical emergencies that requires immediate medical attention for prompt treatment.

Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis)

Hearing loss in old age will gradually appear over time. This hearing loss can be hereditary and occurs due to changes in the inner ear and auditory nerve. This will result in the elderly being unable to tolerate loud sounds or not being able to hear what others say.

Age-related hearing loss usually occurs in both ears, and affects both areas equally. The disease progresses slowly and silently. Therefore, older people often do not realize that they have lost some of their hearing.

Tinnitus (Tinnitus)

Tinnitus is also common in older people. People with tinnitus can often hear sounds such as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or humming. However, tinnitus only lasts for a short time. Patients only hear in one or both ears, the volume can be loud or low. Tinnitus is sometimes the first sign of hearing loss in older adults. Additionally, it can be accompanied by any symptoms of hearing loss and can be a sign of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, allergies, or a side effect of medication.

Tinnitus is a symptom. Sometimes it is possible that because there are pieces of earwax in the ear, the ear canal is easily blocked. This causes tinnitus, or it can also be the result of a number of other health conditions.

>>> You may be interested in: List of current tinnitus cures

Can hearing loss be cured?

Currently, there is no cure for age-related hearing loss. So, if someone in your family is diagnosed with this condition, your doctor can suggest some ways to improve your hearing and quality of life:

• Using a hearing aid
• Hearing aids, such as telephone amplifiers
• Use sign language or learn to read lips to communicate with elderly people with severe hearing loss.

Diagnostic

If your parents have age-related hearing loss, you should take them to a doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will complete a comprehensive physical exam to rule out other causes of hearing loss in the elderly. In addition, the doctor can also diagnose the disease with an otoscope.

If no other cause of hearing loss can be found, the doctor may diagnose the person with age-related hearing loss and from there continue to determine the extent of the hearing loss in the patient.

>>> You may be interested in: Preventing hearing loss in the elderly

How to live with hearing loss in the elderly

For the elderly

If they notice signs of hearing loss, the elderly should:

• Inform a loved one that you have a hearing problem.
• Ask people when talking to need to stand facing you, and especially to speak more slowly and clearly.
• The person with hearing loss needs to pay attention to what the other person is saying through facial expressions or gestures.
• Let the speaker know if you don’t understand what they are saying.
• Find a quiet place when chatting to listen more closely.

For chatters

Here are some tips that you can use when talking to someone who is hard of hearing:

• Find a quiet place to talk to reduce background noise. Communication with people with hearing loss should be limited in noisy areas such as restaurants or social gatherings.
• Stand in a well-lit place and use facial expressions or gestures to make it easier for someone with hearing loss to understand.
• Maintain eye contact and speak clearly.
• Speak a little louder than usual, but you don’t have to scream. Instead, you should try to speak slowly and naturally.
• Do not cover your mouth, eat or chew gum while speaking.
• Actively repeat the sentence if the listener still does not understand, or may use different words.
• Should make sure only one person is talking at a time.
• Stay optimistic, patient, and relaxed when talking to elderly people with hearing loss.

Devices to assist hearing loss in the elderly

• Hearing aids: As mentioned, hearing aids are battery-powered electronic devices that amplify sounds louder. There are many types of hearing aids on the market. So, before buying a hearing aid, find out if your health insurance will cover this cost. Also, ask if older adults can be tested to make sure the device is appropriate.
• Hearing aids, or cochlear implants : These devices can be of great help to some people with hearing loss. Your doctor may recommend a cochlear implant , a small electronic device that is surgically implanted in the patient’s ear. However, this is only a temporary measure to deal with the disease. This method is also unlikely to restore normal hearing. Cochlear implants are used to produce louder sounds and should only be used by people with severe hearing loss.
• Warning device, mobile app: A system that alerts people with hearing loss with doorbells, smoke detectors and alarm clocks to send the patient visual or vibrational signals. For example, flashing lights can let elderly people with hearing loss know someone is standing at the door or the phone is ringing. Some people rely on the vibration settings on their cell phones to notify them when a call comes in.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids: is a newly regulated category of hearing aids that adults with mild to moderate hearing loss can purchase without going through a doctor. OTC hearing aids will make some sounds louder to help people with hearing loss be able to hear, communicate, and motivate them to participate in daily activities. OTC hearing aids are expected to be available in stores and online in just a few years.

>>> You may be interested: 7 experiences to remember when buying hearing aids for the elderly

It can be said that hearing loss due to aging is a common problem that greatly affects the quality of life of the elderly. At the same time, age-related hearing loss (hearing loss) is a progressive condition, meaning it gets worse over time. If the elderly in your family have hearing loss, it will be permanent. To improve hearing loss in the elderly, using assistive devices such as hearing aids can help improve the quality of life of the elderly.