Hearing loss is a natural part of aging, and everyone experiences a partial loss of hearing to some degree or another as they enter their golden years.
A decreased ability to hear clearly does not necessarily mean that there is any cause for concern. Usually, the most pressing concern is the loss in quality of life that occurs as a result of hearing loss.
However, there are steps you can take to prevent or slow down the hearing loss. Many medical devices are available to help partially or fully restore hearing for seniors who don’t hear as well as they used to.
Here is a brief introduction to why hearing loss occurs and what can be done to treat it.
The Causes
Biologically, hearing ability is closely connected to the overall function of the nervous system, the component of your body responsible for sensing information from the environment and passing it onto the brain for processing.
So, any decline in cognitive function or health conditions that impact the nervous system can often cause hearing impairment as well.
There are two types of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. Sensorineural hearing loss is due to damage to the nerve responsible for hearing or to the tiny hair-like cilia in the ear.
Conductive hearing loss means that the outer or middle ear is damaged, but not the nerves. Sensorineural hearing loss is the more common type in the elderly.
A number of conditions can contribute to hearing loss. These include Ménière’s disease, otosclerosis, autoimmune disease, and loud noises which damage the tiny fibers in the ear.
Frequently, there are multiple causes that all contribute to hearing loss. Only a doctor can identify the exact cause of your hearing loss. This is necessary before corrective action can be taken. The correct course of action in terms of treatment depends on the root cause.
The Treatment
For seniors, taking care of your hearing is easier and more affordable than ever before. One of the most common and effective ways to restore and protect hearing is with a hearing aid.
A hearing aid is a device that amplifies the sounds that your ear picks up naturally so that everything becomes louder and clearer. There are different kinds of hearing aids, which can be more or less comfortable.
Traditional hearing aids were quite cumbersome, but their modern versions are discrete and easy to use.
Take charge of your hearing. If you feel that your hearing is not what it used to be, consider your options.
You don’t have to be on the brink of total deafness before you need to start looking for a solution. After all, there is no need to live without the ability to hear.
Read more: 3 Workouts Seniors Will Love
