Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is when a person’s hearing gradually starts to decline as they age. It is a very common condition, with statistics from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People suggesting that it affects 41.7% of people over 50 in the UK and 71.1% of people over 70.
While some decline in hearing is expected as we age, hearing loss can have a major impact on elderly people. It can limit their ability to interact fully with those around them and cause feelings of isolation that lead to loneliness and even depression.
In this complete guide to hearing loss in the elderly, we explain what age-related hearing loss is, the most common cause of hearing loss in elderly people and the symptoms of hearing loss to watch out for.
To help our clients get the support they need, Trinity Homecare has partnered with OutsideClinic – specialists in delivering eye and hearing tests at home for those who can’t easily visit an optician or audiologist by themselves.
Understanding age-related hearing loss
Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a natural part of ageing and the most common type of hearing loss worldwide. It normally occurs due to damage to the tiny hairs in the inner ear responsible for conducting sound.
The effects of age-related hearing difficulties are usually gradual, making it hard to notice in the early stages. This can mean people often don’t seek treatment until they have significant hearing problems. In older people, this can be a cause for concern, as hearing loss can lead to increased feelings of loneliness as people start to withdraw because they are unable to engage with others in the same way they used to.
Age-related hearing is usually diagnosed by a hearing specialist, known as an audiologist. They will perform a test known as an audiogram, which involves sounds being played through headphones to one ear at a time. You will be asked if you can hear each sound as it is played. If you can’t hear certain tones, it may mean that you have some hearing loss.
The treatment they suggest will depend on your symptoms, age, general health and well-being and how severe your condition is, but can include:
- Hearing aids
- Assistive devices, such as telephone amplifiers or technology that changes spoken words to text
- Assistance using visual cues to figure out what is being said
- Regular wax removal from your outer ear to help alleviate wax-related hearing issues compounding the problems
What causes hearing loss as we age?
The most common cause of hearing loss in elderly people is wear and tear to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. These hairs pick up sound waves and change into nerve signals, which the brain interprets as sound. However, over time, they can get damaged and die. As they do not regrow, this can cause hearing loss which is permanent.
But there are other causes of deafness and hearing loss in older people, including:
- Your family history – age-related hearing loss can run in families
- Repeated exposure to loud noises – for example, people working in loud factory environments without adequate ear protection
- Smoking – people who smoke are more likely to experience hearing loss than non-smokers
- Certain medical conditions – like diabetes
- Certain medications – such as chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment
What are the signs and symptoms of hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss often occurs gradually, making it harder to tell that you’re losing your hearing.
However, there are some common signs and symptoms of hearing loss to watch out for, including:
- Havin to turn the volume up on the TV
- Finding it hard to hear people when talking to them on the telephone
- Frustration at not being able to hear
- Difficulty distinguishing between certain sounds, such as ‘s’ and ‘th’
- Difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds
- Ringing in the ears
- Finding it harder to hear people talking in crowded environments
- Having to concentrate more on hearing
- Finding it difficult to keep up with conversations, especially in group settings
- Frequently having to ask people to repeat themselves
Tips for managing hearing loss
Managing hearing loss can be challenging for elderly people. It can lead to increased feelings of frustration and isolation, as people feel unable to join in due to their inability to hear what’s happening.
However, there are some simple steps you can take to help manage your symptoms and prevent hearing loss from impacting your well-being:
- Get your hearing tested regularly – regular hearing tests ensure that any changes to your hearing are picked up promptly and you can take any necessary steps, like ordering new hearing aids. At Trinity Homecare, we’re committed to ensuring our clients continue to get the best possible care no matter their needs, which is why we’ve partnered with Outside Clinic – specialists in providing hearing and eye tests in the comfort of your home.
- Use hearing aids – people can be reluctant to try hearing aids for many reasons, including fear of the unknown and concerns about appearance. But there are lots of different options available now, so it is usually possible to find aids that suit your needs, lifestyle and personal style preferences.
- Make sure you are facing people when talking to them – facing someone while they speak ensures you can also see their lips moving, which can help you decipher what they’re saying if you are having trouble hearing them.
- Get people to write things down – If you are struggling to hear what people are saying to you, getting them to write it down can be helpful. This is especially important when getting important information or instructions, for example, when seeing your GP about health concerns, as it ensures you’ve not misheard anything.
- Take someone with you to appointments – another way to ensure you’ve heard everything correctly at important appointments is to take someone you trust as an extra pair of ears.
- Avoid excessively noisy places – places with background noise, whether that’s others talking or background music, can make it harder to hear. If you’re planning a day out or to meet up with a loved one with hearing loss, try to consider the environment and whether it is suitable. Easy adjustments to make include meeting at less busy times or choosing somewhere with no background music.
Preventing hearing loss
As the most common cause of hearing loss in elderly people is due to wear and tear on the tiny hairs in your inner ear, it can be difficult to prevent completely, and some deterioration in hearing is to be expected as you age.
However, there are some things you can do throughout your life to try and reduce the risk of damage:
- Avoid loud noises
- Reduce noise exposure by wearing protective earplugs or ear defenders when in loud environments
- Keep the volume of your earbuds and headsets at a safe level
- Stop smoking
- Seek treatment quickly if you think you have an ear infection
Home care for hearing loss
If you’re looking for dedicated home care for a loved one experiencing hearing loss, trust Trinity Homecare. For the past 25 years, we have provided the highest standards of care in the comfort of people’s own homes.
We understand that deteriorating hearing can be worrying and lead to increased feelings of isolation. However, we passionately believe that with the dedicated support of carers with experience caring for those with hearing loss, your loved one can live a full life in the home they love.
Home care you can trust
Trinity Homecare is a fully managed care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, placing Trinity amongst the top 4% of all nationwide care companies in England. With this in mind, you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the highest standard of care and specialist support.
If you have any questions about arranging care, simply get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable care team.
Arranging nationwide home care with Trinity is straightforward.
Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
