Hearing loss and old age

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 Hearing loss is common with old age, when it deteriorates it can make high-frequency sounds, such as some voices, difficult to hear.

It might also be harder to hear ‘s’, ‘f’ and ‘th’ sounds in words. This can make it hard to understand what people are saying over background noise.

There is no cure for age-related hearing loss, but many people find hearing aids to be a huge help. Common signs are:

  • difficulty hearing others clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
  •  asking people to repeat themselves
  • listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need
  • difficulty hearing on the phone 
  • finding it hard to keep with a conversation 
  • feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening 
The main cause of age-related hearing loss is gradual wear and tear to tiny sensory cells called ‘hair cells’ in the cochlea (your hearing organ in the inner ear).

Many older people who would benefit from hearing aids wait 6 to 10 years before seeking them. People need motivation to seek and then persevere in the use of aids. Gentle encouragement by carers can help . Also the willingness of carers to assist hearing impaired people in managing their hearing aids is critical for older people who quite commonly have reduced finger and arm dexterity or reduced vision.

If a person is reluctant to get hearing aids, or is unlikely to persevere with them, they may be encouraged to use an ‘assistive listening device’ if only to watch TV, listen to the radio or music and to use a suitable phone to keep in touch with family and friends.

Hearing impairment, if not attended to, can lead to serious consequences. Frustration and embarrassment arising from hearing difficulties can lead to social withdrawal and thus to isolation and loneliness. This can worsen depression and dementia. Recent research also suggests a physiological link between untreated hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease in older people. Ability to enjoy TV, radio, music etc may provide some relief.

Hearing impairment is a ‘hidden’ disability. Hearing impairment is invisible although there are behavioural indicators. People will often try to hide hearing impairment due to a perceived stigma attaching to it. Hearing loss is not well understood in the general community.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults.

Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or a problem with the circulatory system. For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.


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