Have you noticed your grandparent asking you to repeat things more often? Or maybe the TV gets louder every week?
These can be signs of hearing loss. Many seniors go through changes in their hearing as they age. It can happen slowly, making it hard to notice at first.
Understanding the different types of hearing loss is the first step to helping your loved ones hear better and enjoy life more. In this blog, you will learn the common hearing loss types among seniors, how they happen, and what can be done to help. Let’s get started.
How Hearing Works and Why It Changes?
Our ears pick up sound waves and send signals to the brain. As we get older, the tiny parts of the ear that help with hearing can wear out.
This makes it harder to hear clearly. Hearing loss in seniors can also be linked to health issues or even medicine they take.
Knowing how hearing works can help us understand why some types of hearing loss happen more often than others.
According to a recent feature on PJMedia, the growing senior population faces increasing challenges related to access and affordability of hearing care—making it more crucial than ever to understand the types of hearing loss that affect older adults.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Explained
This is the most common hearing loss type among seniors. It happens when the tiny hair cells in the inner ear are damaged.
These cells help send sound to the brain. Once they are damaged, they do not grow back.
People with this type of hearing loss may find it hard to hear high-pitched sounds like birds or children’s voices. They may also say that people sound like they are mumbling. This kind of hearing loss often gets worse over time, but hearing aids can help.
Conductive Hearing Loss and What It Means
This type is not as common in seniors, but it still happens. It usually means something is blocking the sound from reaching the inner ear. This can be caused by ear wax cleaner buildup, fluid, or a problem with the ear bones.
The good news is that this type of hearing loss can often be treated. A doctor may remove the blockage or suggest medicine or surgery.
Mixed Hearing Loss Happens Too
Some seniors have both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. This is called mixed hearing loss. It means there is damage in the inner ear, along with a blockage or other issue in the outer or middle ear.
Treatment for mixed hearing loss depends on what is causing it. Doctors will first try to fix the part that can be treated, like removing wax. Then they might suggest hearing aids or other tools.
What Can Lead to These Hearing Loss Types?
There are many causes of hearing loss in seniors. Long exposure to loud noise over the years is one of them. Other causes include aging, infections, or health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Even some medicines can affect hearing. The good news is that spotting the problem early can lead to better results.
Now You Know What to Look For and Why It Matters
Hearing loss does not have to take away joy from a senior’s life. By learning about the common hearing loss types among seniors, you now understand what may be happening and what steps can be taken to help.
Paying attention to signs early and getting the right care can make a big difference. Simple changes, like using hearing aids or removing wax build-up, can improve hearing. Talking to a doctor can also lead to better choices and support.
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