Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting elderly adults. Approximately one in three people ages 65-74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of adults older than 75 have trouble hearing.
SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS
See your doctor if you:
Have trouble hearing over the telephone.
Often ask people to repeat themselves.
Need to turn up the TV volume that others can hear well.
Have difficulty hearing because of background noise.
Sudden Deafness is a medical emergency. Immediately seeks medical care!
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS
Inner ear damage from constant loud noises (e.g. lawn mowers, high-volume music, use of headphones, heavy machinery, trains); may result in permanent damage
Accumulation of ear wax and/or fluid build-up
Ear infections (viruses and bacteria)
Foreign objects placed into the ear(s)
Subsequent rupture of the eardrum
Heart conditions, strokes, tumors
Medications (e.g. large doses of aspirin, NSAIDS, certain antibiotics)
DEVICES TO ASSIST HEARING
Hearing Aids: These popular devices help amplify sounds. There are many types of hearing aids; an audiologist (hearing aid specialist) will help you pick the best one for your needs.
Alerting Devices: These connect to doorbells, alarm clocks, and smoke detectors to send a loud signal or blinking light.
Cochlear Implants: These are electronic devices for people with severe hearing loss.
TIPS
IF YOU HAVE A HEARING PROBLEM
Don’t keep it a secret! Hearing loss is nothing to be ashamed of.
When speaking with someone, let that person know you have a hearing problem; if needed, ask him or her to reword a sentence and try again; ask people to face you and to speak more clearly and loudly.
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting elderly adults.
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