According to the National Council on Aging, around 1 in 3 people aged 65-74 live with hearing loss. Hearing is one of our main links to the outside world and other people, and it can cause many challenges beyond the obvious.
However, hearing loss in seniors does not always have the same cause. There are three main types of hearing loss, and it is important to understand which one you have. Identifying the causes of hearing loss is the first step on the road to finding ways to manage it.
In this post, we will explore how to identify the type of hearing loss you are suffering from. We will also explore how family and caregivers can help maintain senior auditory health and improve their quality of life.
There are three primary hearing impairment categories:
Each type has its own characteristics, causes, and treatment options.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by blockages in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear. This condition often does not result in complete hearing loss but causes sounds to be muffled or lack clarity.
To maintain good senior auditory health, it is important to investigate whether a blockage is causing hearing issues. In some cases, this may be relatively easy to treat, although other cases are more complex.
A buildup of earwax is a common cause of conductive hearing loss. As we age, the earwax our bodies produce is more hard and brittle. We may also begin to produce excess ear wax, leading to blockages.
According to the Mayo Clinic, middle ear infections can also cause hearing loss. The middle ear contains tiny bones that vibrate and help convey sound. Although they are more common in children than adults, it's important to get your ears checked to rule out a possible middle ear infection.
Other potential causes include a perforated eardrum, abnormal bone growth, and having a foreign object lodged in the ear.
The answer is not to try to remove the potential blockage yourself. This is likely to make the problem worse.
Instead, book an appointment with your doctor and let them advise you on the following:
In some cases, hearing aids specially designed for conductive hearing loss can help. Rather than amplifying sound, they convey sound through the bone, helping you overcome the blockage in your ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common form of auditory issue in seniors. WebMD explains that it is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. More rarely, it is caused by damage to the brain or auditory nerve.
Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent. It causes sounds to lose both clarity and volume.
Ultimately, many people experience sensorineural hearing loss as part of the aging process. Medically, this is known as presbycusis and is both progressive and irreversible.
However, while this is one of the most common age-related hearing issues, not all cases of sensorineural hearing loss are caused by aging. Other causes include:
Most seniors choose to invest in hearing aids to help with sensorineural hearing loss. Most hearing aids work by amplifying sound and delivering it directly into the ear.
Cochlear implants are an option for people with severe hearing loss. They work well for people who would not benefit from traditional hearing aids.
While they were first used for younger people who had severe hearing loss, studies have now found they can also benefit older adults. One study published in the journal Medicine found that cochlear implants improved speech recognition scores in seniors aged over 60 by 60%!
Other assistive listening devices, such as hearing loops, Bluetooth systems, and infrared systems, can assist people with sensorineural hearing loss.
When seniors experience a mixture of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, this is known as mixed hearing loss. This may be a combination of damage to the auditory nerve accompanied by middle ear or inner ear blockages.
Mixed hearing loss can develop suddenly, possibly after an accident, or gradually over time.
After diagnosing the cause of your hearing problems, your doctor can recommend a combination of treatments that can help manage your condition. This may include surgery to address middle ear blockages or specialized hearing aids.
Many seniors may fear that hearing loss will cause them to become isolated. However, at a senior living community, you need never feel alone. Many communities provide the following amenities to assist those with hearing loss.
Assisted living communities do not have medical services on-site. However, they will arrange for you to have regular appointments with a hearing specialist. They can provide an accurate hearing loss diagnosis and help you find the right treatment.
Quiet spaces to relax and socialize can make it easier to hold conversations and form strong bonds with fellow residents.
Caretakers in assisted living communities understand hearing loss and how to communicate clearly. They will speak slowly, face you when speaking, and use visual cues to help promote understanding.
The staff are also on hand to help you manage your hearing aids so they remain effective.
Whichever of the three types of hearing loss you have been diagnosed with, we understand that the future can seem less certain. However, when you choose to join the vibrant senior living community at LakeHouse Sheboygan, you will feel right at home.
Our caretakers understand the needs of seniors with hearing loss. They are on hand to help you with dignity and patience at all times. We can also help arrange regular appointments with your hearing specialist to ensure you get the ongoing treatment you need.
Why not visit our Sheboygan community to discover just how comfortable life could be? Contact us today to arrange a personalized tour.