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Hearing
and Older People
About one-third of
Americans between age 65 and 74 and one-half of those age 85 and
older have hearing problems. They may mistake words in a conversation,
miss musical notes at a concert, or leave a ringing door bell
unanswered. Hearing problems can be small (missing certain sounds)
or large (involving total deafness).
Some people may
not admit they are having trouble hearing. But, if ignored or
untreated, these problems can get worse. Older people who can’t
hear well may become depressed or withdraw from others to avoid
the frustration or embarrassment of not understanding what is
being said. They may become suspicious of relatives or friends
who they believe "mumble" or "don't speak up” on purpose. It’s
easy to mistakenly call older people confused, unresponsive,
or uncooperative just because they don’t hear well.
If you have a hearing
problem, you can get help. See your doctor. Special training,
hearing aids, certain medicines, and surgery are some of the
choices that could help people with hearing problems.
Common Signs
of Hearing Problems
See your doctor if:
- words are hard
to understand,
- another person’s
speech sounds slurred or mumbled, especially if it gets worse
when there is background noise,
- certain sounds
are overly annoying or loud,
- a hissing or ringing
in the background is heard,
- TV shows, concerts,
or parties are less enjoyable because you can’t hear much.
Diagnosis of
Hearing Problems
Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to very loud noises over
a long period of time, viral or bacterial infections, heart
conditions or stroke, head injuries, tumors, certain medicines,
heredity, or changes in the ear that happen with aging.
If you have trouble
with your hearing, see your family doctor. In some cases, the
diagnosis and treatment can take place in his or her office.
Or you may be referred to an otolaryngologist (oto-larin-GOL-o-jist).
This doctor has special training in the ear, nose, and throat
and other areas related to the head and neck. He or she will
take a medical history, ask if other family members have hearing
problems, do a thorough exam, and order any needed tests.
An audiologist
(aw-dee-OL-o-jist) is a health professional who can identify
and measure hearing loss. He or she may work with the otolaryngologist.
The audiologist will use a device called an audiometer to test
your ability to hear sounds at different pitches and loudness.
The tests are painless. Audiologists do not prescribe drugs
or perform surgery.
Types of Hearing
Loss
Presbycusis (prez-bee-KU-sis) is the most common hearing
problem in older people. In fact, people over age 50 are likely
to lose some hearing each year. Presbycusis is an ongoing loss
of hearing linked to changes in the inner ear. People with this
kind of hearing loss may have a hard time hearing what others
are saying or may be unable to stand loud sounds. The decline
is slow. Just as hair turns gray at different rates, presbycusis
develops at different rates.
Tinnitus (ti-NI-tus)
is also common in older people. Tinnitus is a symptom associated
with a variety of hearing diseases and disorders. People with
tinnitus have a ringing, roaring, or hear other sounds inside
the ears. It may be caused by ear wax, an ear infection, the
use of too much aspirin or certain antibiotics, or a nerve disorder.
Often, the reason for the ringing cannot be found. Tinnitus
can come and go; or it can stop altogether.
Conductive hearing
loss happens in some older people when the sounds that are
carried from the ear drums (tympanic membrane) to the inner
ear are blocked. Ear wax in the ear canal, fluid in the middle
ear, abnormal bone growth, or a middle ear infection can cause
this loss. Sensorineural (sen-so-ree-NU-ral) hearing loss
happens when there is damage to parts of the inner ear or auditory
nerve. The degree of hearing loss can vary from person to person.
Sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by birth defects, head
injury, tumors, illness, certain prescription drugs, poor blood
circulation, high blood pressure, or stroke.
If Someone You
Know Has A Hearing Problem
- Face the person
and talk clearly.
- Stand where there
is good lighting and low background noise.
- Speak clearly
and at a reasonable speed; do not hide your mouth, eat, or
chew gum.
- Use facial expressions
or gestures to give useful clues.
- Reword your statement
if needed.
- Be patient, stay
positive and relaxed.
- Ask how you may
help the listener.
- Set up meetings
so that all speakers can be seen or can use a microphone.
- Include the hearing
impaired person in all discussions about him or her to prevent
feelings of isolation.
Tips to Recognize
Hearing Loss
See your doctor if you have:
- Dfficulty hearing
over the telephone;
- Trouble following
a conversation when two or more people are talking at the
same time;
- Others complaining
that you make the TV too loud;
- To strain to understand
conversations;
- Problems hearing
because of background noise;
- The sense that
others seem to mumble; or
- Difficulty understanding
women and children talking.
If You Have Trouble
Hearing
- Tell others that
you have trouble hearing.
- Ask others to
face you, speak more slowly and clearly, and not to shout.
- Pay attention
to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures.
- Let the person
talking know if you do not understand what is being said;
ask for the statement to be repeated or reworded.
Hearing Aids
If you are having trouble hearing, the doctor may suggest using
a hearing aid. This is a small device that you put in your ear
to make sounds louder. Before buying a hearing aid, you must
get a written medical evaluation or sign a waiver saying that
you do not want a medical evaluation.
There are many kinds
of hearing aids. An audiologist will consider your hearing level,
ability to understand speech, comfort in using the controls,
and concern for how it looks. He or she will then suggest a
specific design, model, and brand of hearing aid that best suits
your needs.
When you buy a hearing
aid, remember you are buying a product and a service. You will
need fitting adjustments, directions to use the aid, and repairs
during the warranty period.
Be sure to buy a
hearing aid that has only the features you need. The most costly
product may not be the best model for you, while the one selling
for less may be just right. Be aware that the controls for many
hearing aids are tiny and can be hard to adjust. This often
gets easier with practice. Find a hearing aid dealer (called
a dispenser) who has the patience and skill to help you during
the month or so it takes to get used to the new hearing aid.
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