HUH? What did you say? Hearing loss and aging

Posted: January 30, 2017, 9:37AM

Hearing loss can occur at any age and has many causes. Long-term exposure to loud noises such as machinery can lead to hearing loss. Some medications can cause or accelerate hearing loss. Impacted ear wax, perforated membranes or otosclerosis (a disease of the middle and inner ear) can also cause hearing loss. These causes may be treatable or reversible.

According to an article in Today's Geriatric Medicine, the main cause of hearing loss in the older population results from presbycusis or the decrease in hearing due to aging. The hearing loss comes about due to naturally occuring degradation of the inner ear structures, occurring over many years. Authors of the article state that presbycusis is a slowly progressive hearing loss that affects both ears, beginning in the higher frequencies. The loss of clarity leads people to think others are mumbling or not enunciating clearly.

Common signs of hearing loss are "HUH? What did you say?", answering questions inappropriately, or asking questions that seem unrelated to the conversation.

Research finds taht 45.6% of people between the ages of 70-74 have hearing loss and the percentage grows to 80.6% for those over age 85. Males and whites are more likely to have hearing loss.

Untreated hearing loss can have adverse effects on social, psychological, cognitive and overall health. Untreated hearing loss is linked to:

avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
imparied memory and inability to learn new tasks
reduced job performance
reduced short-term memory
social rejection and loneliness
relationships may suffer as there could be a decrease in willingness to socialize or have a conversation when a loved one fails to hear

Studies show that untreated hearing loss leads to an increased risk of cognitive decline, and Frank Lin, MD, PhD at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reports that hearing loss plays a greater role in brain health, and Dr.Lin points to a link between hearing loss and cognitive problems.

Studies also suggest that hearing loss can compound the difficulties that people with Alzheimer's and their families already face. If a loved one is showing signs of dementia, a hearing evaluation needs to be part of the diagnostic procedures. This can help rule out hearing loss as a cause of cognitive decline or facilitate treatment to lessen the impact of dementia.

Since many hearinglosses cannot be corrected medically or surgically, the main method for treating hearing loss is the use of hearing aids. Authors of the article report that the majority of people who wear hearing aids report positive results. Today's hearing aids are much more advanced and are programmable. Most hearing aids are not bulky and may be more cosmetically appealing.

Hearing loss is serious. Get your loved one's (or your) hearing checked at least annually. Left untreated, hearing loss can have serious consequences!

[Source: Today's Geriatric Medicine, Jan/Feb 2017]