Contents:
- Medical Video: Hearing, Hearing Loss, and Current Technology
- Why does hearing decrease in old age?
- When does hearing usually begin to decrease?
- How to diagnose presbycusis?
- How to treat presbycusis?
- Can my condition improve if I already have presbycusis?
- Is there a way to prevent hearing loss in old age?
Medical Video: Hearing, Hearing Loss, and Current Technology
Decreasing auditory function as we age may not be something we have considered natural. Along with the increasing age of humans, some body functions will also decrease. Decreased hearing due to aging is a condition that often occurs in the elderly. Nearly every one of two elderly people over the age of 65 experiences hearing loss in varying degrees of severity.
Why does hearing decrease in old age?
Presbycusis is a mendic term to describe hearing loss due to age. Although this condition is not a life-threatening condition, hearing loss can have a major effect on daily life and can reduce quality of life if not given special treatment.
Presbycisis occur slowly over time. Some changes in the inner ear can cause this condition. These changes include:
- changes in inner ear structure
- changes in blood circulation to the ear
- nervous disorders in the hearing system
- damage to the hair shakes in the ear that is responsible for delivering sound to the brain
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Decreased hearing in the elderly can also be caused by several reasons, such as:
- diabetes
- disturbed blood circulation
- noise exposure
- use of certain drugs
- history of hearing loss in the family
- smoke
When does hearing usually begin to decrease?
Symptoms of presbycusis usually begin with a decrease in the ability to hear high-pitched sounds. You might notice it when you have trouble hearing the voices of women or children. You may also have difficulty hearing sounds that are in the background or hearing other people speak clearly. Other symptoms that can occur include:
- feel certain sounds are too loud for you
- difficulty hearing in noisy environments
- difficulty distinguishing 's' and 'th' voices
- experience ringing ears
- adjust the sound of the television or radio faster than usual
- ask other people to repeat what they say
- can't understand the conversation on the phone
If you experience the symptoms above, you should immediately consult a doctor, because you may experience symptoms of presbycusis.
How to diagnose presbycusis?
Your doctor will do a thorough physical examination to rule out other possibilities that cause your hearing loss. Usually the doctor will examine your ears with a device called an otoscope.
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If the doctor cannot find other causes that can explain your condition, the doctor may diagnose you with presbycusis. Next, you will be referred to a specialist and undergo an examination to find out how far your hearing has diminished.
How to treat presbycusis?
Decreased hearing due to increasing age cannot be cured. If you are diagnosed with this condition, the doctor will usually recommend that you use hearing aids to improve your quality of life. In some severe cases, your doctor can advise you to learn how to use sign language and read lip movements.
In some cases, the doctor may suggest a cochlear implant or cochlear implant. This procedure is done by implanting a small electronic device into your ear through surgery. This implant makes the sound louder, but cannot restore hearing function to its original state. This procedure is usually only performed on patients who have experienced severe hearing loss.
Can my condition improve if I already have presbycusis?
Presbycusis is a condition that will continue slowly. This means that the patient's condition will get worse over time. If the patient has hearing loss, then the hearing loss will be permanent. However, even though this condition will continue to worsen, using a hearing aid will improve the quality of life for the patient.
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Consult with your doctor about treatment options that you can do. Ask what things can help you minimize the impact of your hearing loss on everyday life. You can also consider treatment options for depression and anxiety — conditions that often occur in presbycusis sufferers.
Is there a way to prevent hearing loss in old age?
You may not be able to prevent the occurrence of the presbycusis, but you can take several preventative steps to prevent your condition from getting worse. If you experience presbycusis, try to:
- avoid repeated exposure to loud sounds
- use ear protectors in noisy places
- control your blood sugar if you have diabetes
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of presbycusis. As hearing loss deteriorates, the more likely you are to experience a decreased ability to understand conversation. However, if you immediately seek help, this condition will be minimized.
