Hearing loss is a common complaint among the elderly. Seniors who have trouble hearing ask others to speak louder during conversations or turn up the volume on the television and radio.

In this blog, we will explore the causes of hearing loss in seniors, offer practical prevention tips, and highlight the importance of early detection and treatment. Although hearing loss can’t be prevented, older adults can preventative measures to slow it down. Using the right strategies, seniors can protect their hearing and enhance their quality of life as they age.

What is Age-Related Hearing Loss?

The medical term for age-related hearing loss is presbycusis. This is a type of hearing loss that develops as people grow older. As the most common cause of hearing loss worldwide, the condition affects 2 out of 3 seniors in the US aged 70 and older.

Age-related hearing loss occurs due to the natural wear and tear on the delicate structures of the inner ear and the auditory nerves over time, making it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds and understand speech, especially in noisy environments. Often known as symmetrical, presbycusis affects both ears equally and progresses slowly.

What Are The Symptoms of Age-Related Hearing Loss?

Seniors with age-related hearing loss do not hear as well as they used to. Because of their gradual loss of hearing, they turn up the volume on their computers or phones. In crowded places, they have trouble understanding what people are saying. These are common signs of presbycusis in older adults:

• Difficulty Hearing High-Pitched Sounds
• Trouble Understanding Speech
• Asking People to Repeat Themselves
• Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
• Withdrawal From Conversations
• Turning Up the Volume

What Causes Age-Related Hearing Loss?

A family history of age-related hearing loss predisposes older adults to experience the same condition as they age. Hearing loss can also occur due to noise exposure; as a result, this noise-induced hearing loss develops into more pronounced age-related hearing loss.

Side effects of certain medications may damage the inner ear, causing hearing loss. These drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), loop diuretics used to treat high blood pressure, certain antibiotics, and aspirin taken in large doses (8 to 12 pills per day).

Age itself is a precursor to age-related hearing loss. As people grow older, the tiny hair cells inside the inner ear break down, being unable to pick up sound vibrations as well as before. Fortunately, the following strategies can help seniors keep their hearing as sharp as possible.

How Do Seniors Slow Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a senior’s ability to communicate, socialize, and maintain an active lifestyle. Although age-related hearing loss is a natural part of aging, there are steps seniors can take to slow its progression and protect their hearing. Implementing these strategies into daily habits and prioritizing ear health allows for older adults to reduce the risk of hearing loss.

1. Reduce Exposure to Loud Noise

Noise-related hearing loss can be prevented. Older adults must avoid environments riddled with excessive and persistent noise. Loud sounds may come from concert speakers or motorcycles. Earphones and power drills produce loud noises that can damage the senior’s inner ear.

Seniors are advised to wear earplugs to protect their hearing. Earplugs should be worn when the older adult is in situations where the noise level reaches 85 decibels or higher. Earplugs are available, especially for concerts, for instance, to protect ears from noise damage.

2. Use Headphones

Keep the volume of headphones as low as possible to minimize the risk of developing hearing loss. Headphones are often plugged into a computer or smartphone, and they may also be worn when the senior watches television, plays a video game, or listens to music.

When playing video games with headphones on, set the volume low enough to hear the game while also being able to hear someone in the room talking. Rest the ears for 15 to 20 minutes every hour to give the ears a break. Use captioning, featured in many video games.

Noise-canceling headphones are recommended for elderly gamers, as they drown out external distractions while reducing the need to turn up the volume. Seniors who wear hearing aids should also select headphones that work with them. Use a sound meter app to measure the decibels of the headset.

3. Clean The Ears

Wax buildup in the ears contributes to hearing loss. Rather than use cotton swabs, which push wax farther into the ear canal, seniors are advised to use at-home irrigation kits that soften the wax and make it easier to remove. A medical professional can help remove compacted wax.

4. Schedule Regular Hearing Exams

During a hearing exam, an audiologist administers a baseline hearing test, called an audiogram. The test determines if the senior has developed hearing loss. Early detection can lead to medical treatments to preserve existing hearing and prevent severe hearing-related issues later on.

Hearing is measured via a variety of tests, such as testing the senior’s ability to hear a whisper or a clock tick from a distance. The healthcare professional may simply ask if the patient has difficulty hearing. If so, interventions, like hearing aids, may be recommended.

Seniors should get their hearing tested if they have family members with hearing loss, have trouble hearing conversations, or are exposed to loud noises regularly. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a cause to get hearing checked.

5. Manage Overall Health

Older adults are urged to take care of their overall health. Medical research points to a link between hearing loss and conditions, like high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Seniors who reduce their risk for these diseases slow hearing loss.

When hearing loss occurs, older adults might consider wearing a hearing aid. A hearing aid can be purchased over the counter without having to see an audiologist. Assisting Hands Home Care can provide transport to the pharmacy so that seniors can buy hearing aids.

If the senior prefers to seek medical advice from an audiologist, our professional caregivers provide the transportation and escort to the doctor’s office. We also offer a host of other non-medical care services to fulfill the daily needs of the elderly individuals in our care.

Home Care Services By Assisting Hands Home Care

Home care services provide essential support for individuals who need assistance with daily activities, but prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes. Included in our senior care services are grocery shopping and meal preparation. We provide timely medication reminders to help seniors preserve their health. Light housekeeping is performed to keep the home clean and comfortable. Caregivers conduct fall risk assessments and remove clutter.

We also assist with hygiene tasks, like bathing, toileting, and grooming. Caregivers keep your aging loved one’s ears clean so that their hearing stays sharp. We’re also great companions who socially engage with the elderly through conversations, games, outings, and leisure activities.

Assisting Hands Home Care is the preferred home care agency for seniors in The Villages, Florida. Schedule a complimentary in-home consultation today to learn how compassionate elder home care supports older adults of all ability levels in The Villages, Leesburg, Oxford, Lady Lake, Ocala, and Wildwood, FL. We are committed to elevating seniors’ dignity and quality of life.