Hearing loss is a common problem for older adults, especially seniors. It can be a sensitive topic to discuss with the senior whom you care for because it’s not something a lot people like to admit. The aging process takes a toll on people differently than others, so approaching the issue of hearing loss should be done with compassion and empathy. Helping the senior understand how their hearing has been compromised and suggesting the use of hearing aids is a smart conversation to have with them in order to help them be able to communicate well into their remaining years.
A Common Problem for Aging Adults
According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 has difficulty hearing. The medical term used to describe age-related hearing loss, is prebycusis, and it happens to be one of the most common conditions affecting elderly adults.
Many factors play a role in how a person loses hearing as they age. Age-related hearing loss often gets confused with hearing loss from other causes, such as being exposed to loud noises for a long period of time or even having loss of hearing at birth. When a person loses hearing as a result of loud noises over a long period of time, the damage is done to the sensory hair cells that allow us to process noises. Once these important hair cells are injured, they do not replenish and hearing is significantly lessened. Other age-related factors that make seniors predisposed to hearing loss are conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. High blood pressure damages blood vessels, and when the blood vessels in a person’s ear become damaged, a fatty plaque buildup can impair how a person hears.
Signs of hearing loss can vary from person to person. If you’re in the caregiving business and spend most of your day watching after a senior or are having trouble hearing yourself, look for these signs provided to us by the National Institute on Aging:
Have trouble hearing over the telephone
Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking
Often ask people to repeat what they are saying
Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain
Have a problem hearing because of background noise
Think that others seem to mumble
Can’t understand when women and children speak to you
The Magic of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are small electronic devices that you wear in or behind your ear. It’s main purpose is to amplify sounds so that way a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. They’re helpful in both noisy and quiet settings; however, according to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, only about one in five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.
Three basic components make up a hearing aid: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. Sound is received through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and sends them to an amplifier. There are three different types of hearing aids available, which could benefit a senior well if needed.
Behind-the-ear (BTE): These are made of a hard plastic case that sits behind the ear and connects to an ear mold. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the ear mold and into the ear. There’s also a new kind of BTE hearing aid with a more open-fit style, it’s more narrow and just as effective, and may be a better choice for people who experience a buildup of earwax.
In-the-ear (ITE): These hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and is most effective for those with mild to severe hearing loss. Some ITEs have a certain feature called a telecoil, that allows sound to be processed through circuitry of the hearing aid rather than the microphone. This is more useful in hearing conversations over the telephone, and in facilities with specialized sound systems called induction loop systems.
Canal: Canal hearing aids fit into the ears in two different styles. In the canal, hearing aids are made to fit a persons size and shape of the ear canal where other canal hearing aids are nearly hidden inside the persons ear canal.
Hearing aids may be expensive for some as Medicare does not cover the cost of the devices. Fortunately, some institutions and organizations do provide free hearing aids and hearing aid discounts for seniors. Talk to you doctor, or anyone in your senior citizen community for more information on how to make hearing aids more affordable.
Start the Conversation
Drawing attention to something like hearing loss can be a tough reality to face for many seniors. Since hearing is such a pivotal part of human interaction and the relationships we hold sacred, it’s important to see a doctor when you or the person you care for starts losing their ability to hear well. Doctors perform a variety of tests on those who experience hearing loss. Anything from physical exams to audiometer tests can be done to determine the best course of action for getting treatment. Don’t be afraid to talk about your hearing loss, because the sooner you do, the sooner you can get help.