Hearing Loss Solutions for Seniors: Enhancing Quality of Life
According to the National Institutes of Health, the age group with the greatest amount of hearing loss is 60-69. This coincides with the typical retirement age, which is a pity; you should be able to enjoy your golden years fully.
Your auditory landscape may not be as rich as it was before due to decreased hearing. However, there are hearing loss solutions you can explore.
In this article, we'll go over the subject of improving hearing in the elderly so you can have a brighter future ahead of you.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Seniors
The first step to solving any problem is understanding it first. So let's go over the common causes and types of hearing loss.
The Common Causes of Hearing Loss
Many people mistakenly think that hearing loss only happens as a natural process of aging. This is called presbycusis, and it's a very slow process that usually happens equally in both ears.
However, there are more causes of hearing loss; for example, there's noise-induced hearing loss. If you have long-term exposure to loud noises (such as working at an airport or construction site), then it's possible to experience damage to the inner ear.
There are also medical conditions that can cause hearing loss. For instance, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes can all increase your risk. Plus, ear infections and fluid buildup may contribute to your hearing problems.
Lastly, you may be surprised to learn that medications can cause hearing loss as a side effect. These are called ototoxic drugs and include things like:
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Diabetes drugs
- High blood pressure drugs
- Antibiotics
- Pain relievers
- Antimalarial drugs
The Types of Hearing Loss
The two main types of hearing loss are sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has to do with damage done to the inner ear or auditory nerve. This is typically not reversible, but there are treatment options available.
Conductive hearing loss has to do with blockages. Or you may have structural issues in your outer or middle ear. The good news is that this is treatable too.
Many seniors also find themselves with mixed hearing loss. This means you'll have a combination of SNHL and conductive hearing loss.
Auditory Health Solutions
Now that you have a better understanding about hearing loss, we can discuss the solutions that are currently on the market. The four main ones are hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, and medical and surgical treatments.
Hearing Aids
Senior hearing aids are cost-effective and can help people of all hearing loss levels. This is why they're so popularly used.
The types include:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC) / receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)
- Completely-in-canal (CIC) / invisible-in-canal (IIC)
The first two are more conspicuous, as the first sits behind the ear and the second is fitted on the outer ear. You can use BTE devices for moderate to severe hearing loss, while you can use ITE devices for mild to moderate loss.
If you want to be discreet, then use the third and fourth options. They're both small, but RIC and RITE devices can be used for all levels of hearing loss, while CIC and IIC devices can't be used for severe hearing loss.
In any case, hearing aids can help you regain your social life and allow you to participate in senior social clubs.
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are meant for those who can't use hearing aids, which usually means they have severe hearing loss.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)
ALDs are very versatile in that they're used in a wide variety of settings.
The first is at home in a personal setting. You can get small, portable amplifiers to boost any sounds you're having trouble with.
On that note, you can also get sound amplifiers for your TVs and radios. Or you can get wireless headphones that cater to hearing loss.
You can also get captioned telephones. The words spoken are displayed as text so you can understand them better.
As for public spaces, you have hearing loop systems. These broadcast to hearing aids so you don't have to struggle to hear properly in say, a theater or church.
Medical and Surgical Treatments
For some people, they may require medical or surgical treatments. This may sound scary, but it can be as easy and painless as having your earwax removed. You'd be surprised at how much your hearing improves after having blockages removed.
If you have chronic ear infections, then your doctor can prescribe powerful antibiotics. There are also anti-inflammatory medications that can relieve temporary hearing loss from these infections.
The most drastic measures are reserved for conductive hearing loss. To improve hearing, you may have your eardrum repaired (tympanoplasty) or the stapes bone removed (stapedectomy).
Preservation and Communication Tips for Hearing Loss
When you lose your hearing, usually, you can't get it back. This makes it extremely important to protect what hearing you have left.
Turn down the volume when you're watching TV or listening to the radio, and use earplugs when you're in loud environments. In addition, consult your doctor about switching from ototoxic medications if you're currently on them.
As for better communication, make sure your loved ones are facing you when they're speaking to you, as this can help with lip reading and visual cues. Ask them to speak slowly and clearly, but without shouting, as this can distort their words.
If possible, reduce background noise when communicating. When this isn't possible, then resort to text-based conversations instead.
Check Out These Hearing Loss Solutions
The world may not be as rich without all the small details you used to hear. But with the optimal hearing loss solutions, you may be able to restore some of those sounds.
So if you've noticed a difference in your hearing, then seek professional help. With a formal hearing evaluation and consultation, you can get a hearing loss solution that'll help you maintain your independence.
If you're interested in finding a senior living community in Findlay, OH, then contact us today. Taylor Place Assisted Living offers military veterans half off their first month's rent.