On this page:
Symptoms of hearing loss
Types of hearing loss
Causes of hearing loss
How to overcome hearing loss
Tips: How to talk to someone who is hard of hearing?
Assistive devices for hearing loss
Hearing loss due to noise, aging, disease, and genetics is a common problem. Talking to friends and family can be difficult for people with hearing loss. They may also have difficulty understanding medical advice, responding to alarms, and hearing doorbells and alarms.
One in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss, and almost half of people over the age of 75 have hearing loss. But some people may not want to admit that they have a hearing loss.
Elderly people with hearing loss may become depressed or withdraw from others because of frustration or embarrassment at not understanding what is being said. Sometimes older people are confused, unresponsive, and uncooperative because they don’t listen well.
Ignored and untreated hearing problems can get worse. If you have hearing loss, see your doctor. Treatments that can help include hearing aids, special training, certain medications, and surgery.
Symptoms of hearing loss
Some people are hard of hearing and don’t notice it. If you have the following conditions, you should consult a doctor.
Difficulty hearing on the phone
When two or more people are talking, it is difficult to follow the conversation
Often ask people to repeat what they say
Turn up the volume on the TV to make others complain
Hearing problems due to background noise
Think the others are muttering
Women and children do not understand how to talk to you
Types of hearing loss
Hearing loss comes in many forms. It can range from a mild loss, such as a woman’s or a child’s voice, to a complete loss of hearing.
There are two general categories of hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. The cause may be earwax build-up, fluid or a punctured eardrum. Medical treatment or surgery usually restores conductive hearing loss.
Sudden hearing loss
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or sudden deafness, is a rapid loss of hearing. It can happen to a person all at once or over a period of up to 3 days. This should be considered a medical emergency. If you or someone you know has sudden sensorineural hearing loss, see your doctor right away.
Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)
Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, develops gradually with age. It runs in families and can be caused by changes in the inner ear or auditory nerve. Presbycusis makes it difficult for a person to tolerate loud noises or hear what others are saying.
Age-related hearing loss usually occurs in both ears and affects them equally. Because the loss is gradual, a person with presbycusis may not notice that they have lost some of their hearing.
Tinnitus (tinnitus)
Tinnitus also occurs in older people. It is usually described as tinnitus, but can also be heard as a roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing sound. It can come and go. It may be heard in one or both ears and may be loud or soft. Sometimes tinnitus is the first symptom of hearing loss in the elderly. Tinnitus can accompany any type of hearing loss and can be a symptom of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, allergies, or medication side effects. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. While something as simple as earwax blocking the ear canal can cause tinnitus, it can be the result of many medical conditions.
Causes of hearing loss
Loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Noise from lawn mowers, snow blowers, and loud music can damage the inner ear and cause permanent hearing loss. Loud noises can also cause tinnitus. You can prevent most noise-related hearing loss. Protect yourself by turning down the volume on your stereo, television, and headphones; away from loud noises; or use earplugs or other ear protection.
A build-up of earwax or fluid can block the passage of sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. If wax blockage is a problem, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend a mild treatment to loosen the earwax.
A perforated ear drum can cause hearing loss. An eardrum infection, pressure, putting something in the ear, including earwax
hearing loss can also result from taking certain medications. “Ototoxic” medications damage the inner ear, sometimes permanently. Some ototoxic drugs include medicines used to treat serious infections, cancer, and heart disease. Some antibiotics are ototoxic. Even aspirin at some dosages can cause problems. Check with your doctor if you notice a problem while taking a medication.
Heredity can cause hearing loss, as well. But not all inherited forms of hearing loss take place at birth. Some forms can show up later in life. For example, in otosclerosis, which is thought to be a hereditary disease, an abnormal growth of bone prevents structures within the ear from working properly.