Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss in Seniors

Seniors face a number of health issues as they experience changes in the body due to aging. While some of these may not be averted, some of them are. One of the most common problems encountered by elders is hearing loss which is fortunately preventable. Normally, there is likely to be a gradual hearing loss after the age of sixty-five but certain precautions taken in young age can limit its severity and damage.

Age-related hearing loss, which is also called Presbycusis, is the decline in the hearing capacity as one grows older. Most often, this condition occurs in both the ears and is likely to affect them equally. Since it occurs very slowly, many adults do not realize its prevalence until they have lost a substantial amount of hearing capability. 

Some of the difficulties caused by hearing loss include- 

• 1. Inability to comprehend and follow the physician’s advice 
• 2. Poor or nil response to sounds, particularly, vehicle sirens and horns 
• 3. Difficulties in hearing doorbells, ringing phones, fire engines and smoke alarms 
• 4. Hindrance in having a normal one-to-one conversation with family members and friends 
• 5. Difficulties in communicating effectively leading to social isolation and mental depression 

Common Causes of Hearing Loss 

• 1. Structural changes in the inner ear or the middle ear 
• 2. Loss of tiny hair cells in the ears that act as sound receptors due to aging 
• 3. Clogging of ear tissues which function as sound amplifiers due to free radical damage 

• 4. Deposition of wax in the inner ear which blocks the ear canal and prevents the conduction of sound waves 
• 5. Complex changes in the nerve pathways connecting the ear to the brain 
• 6. Certain prevailing medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes 
• 7. Side effects of some medications like chemotherapy drugs 
• 8. Long-term or consistent exposure to loud noises and sounds(noise-induced hearing loss) 

Hearing Loss Treatment

• 1. Removal of wax deposit in the ears 
• 2. Hearing aids for seniors which amplify the sound for better hearing 
• 3. Surgical intervention using cochlear implants 

• 4. Usage of assistive hearing devices and bone anchored hearing systems 
• 5. Remedial therapies as lip reading or speech reading 

Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss 

• 1. Avoid deafening sounds and limit exposure to noise sources like speaker systems, loud music, firearms, lawn mowers, saws and drills. 

• 2. Ensure that only devices and appliances with low noise ratings are purchased to prevent ear damage. 
• 3. Safeguard your ears by using protective devices like ear muffs and ear plugs. 
• 4. Stop smoking as tobacco impairs the functioning of the ears leading to hearing loss. Even inhaling secondary smoke (coming from regular smokers) can be dangerous. 
• 5. Maintain hygiene by regularly cleaning your ears to remove wax deposits and seek the doctor’s help if needed. 
• 6. Be cautious in medication usage as some antibiotics and cancer-fighting medicines can impact hearing. Likewise, some over the counter medications like high doses of aspirin are harmful. 

• 7. Undergo a hearing test if there is
•          A family history of hearing loss 

• Ringing sound in the ears 
• Trouble in hearing and comprehending conversations 
• Frequent exposure to loud sounds 

To summarize, 

If there is a very minimal or occasional hearing loss, it is advisable to prevent further damage by navigating away from loud noises. If the problem is severe, it is recommended to seek appropriate treatment from the doctor and use devices like hearing aids. However, if you happen to experience a sudden loss of hearing at your residence with no explainable cause, it is better to call for an emergency doctor home visit to rule out other serious medical complications. Elders with hearing loss are also advised to avail facility of home delivery medical supplies for personal safety considerations.