When an older adult starts to lose their hearing, it’s often chalked up to being just a part of aging. While it is true that some conditions that cause hearing loss are age-related, there may still be treatments available to help your parent to hear better. Such is the case with one of the most common causes of hearing loss in people over the age of 65, a condition called presbycusis.
If you’re unfamiliar with presbycusis, read on to find out what the disease is and treatments that may be available for your senior parent.
What is Presbycusis?
Presbycusis is classified as a sensorineural hearing loss and affects roughly one third of people aged 65 and older. It is most often caused by long-term exposure to loud noises. If your parent worked in a profession that exposed them to frequent loud sounds, such as working in a factory or with heavy machinery, they may be more likely to have presbycusis. Loud noises over time can damage the tiny hair cells in the ears that vibrate to carry sound. These hair cells never grow back, so if they are damaged, they are gone forever and the result is hearing loss.
What are the Symptoms?
Presbycusis causes gradual hearing loss in both ears. Hearing loss due to presbycusis usually starts with an impaired ability to hear higher pitched sounds. A person with presbycusis may find that speech sounds loud enough, but is unclear so that it seems like the person who is speaking is mumbling. This may be the result of an inability to hear certain higher-pitched speech sounds, like s/, as/, and th/. As time goes on, the person will experience more hearing loss and progressively lower pitches will be difficult to hear.
Signs that your parent may be affected by presbycusis are:
- Complaining of others mumbling.
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched noises like the telephone ringing or the microwave beeping.
- Being able to hear men better than women.
- Difficulty hearing conversations when there is background noise.
- Ringing in the ears.
How is Presbycusis Treated?
There is no cure for presbycusis, but there are treatments that are aimed at managing hearing loss. Some possible treatments are:
Communication Techniques: Watching for visual clues can help your parent to make out what people are saying. Family members and home health care providers can help by facing your parent when they are speaking so that your parent can watch their lips as well as rely on facial expressions and hand gestures. Turning down background noises, like the television or radio, can also help.
Hearing Aids: Hearing aids can help keep your parent involved in conversations and able to enjoy more of their normal life. When a person is first fitted for a hearing aid, they may sometimes forget to use the new device. A home health care provider can remind your parent to use the hearing aid and help them to properly care for it.
Cochlear Implants: Cochlear implants are used for people with severe hearing loss. The implant uses electrical signals to stimulate cells in the cochlea. Cochlear implants can greatly improve hearing and are a good option when hearing aids don’t work well.
Although many people experience hearing loss as they get older, your parent does not have to put up with feeling left out of conversations because they cannot hear well. Make an appointment for your parent to see a doctor to have their hearing evaluated and find out what treatment is right for them.
Sources: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318483.php
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/otolaryngology/presbycusis_85,P00463/
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Newton MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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