Deafness Can Cause Isolation in Elderly, pt 1

Don’t Ignore Signs of Bad Hearing

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one third of those over 60 and half of those over 85 have hearing loss. While hearing loss is considered a normal part of aging, it can make life increasingly difficult for those affected. It can cause a tremendous amount of isolation, frustration, and anxiety.  Simple tasks such as following a doctor’s advice can be very difficult.  Appropriate response time and function to safety warnings such as doorbells, phones, fire alarms, and home security alarms can be slowed.  Deafness can also be a convenient excuse to skip out on social conversations.

If you or a senior you know has presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), you may have a difficult time hearing what others are saying or may be unable to tolerate loud sounds.  Sitting in a crowded restaurant with loud background noise can be intolerable.  Or, watching the TV with volume levels turned up can lead to others leaving the room, thereby effectively isolating the senior to watch alone.  The loss of this kind of hearing is usually progressive.

Hearing loss may also be the result of exposure to loud noises over a long time, viral or bacterial infections. Also, heart conditions or stroke, head injuries, a punctured ear drum, wax buildup, reaction to medication, or heredity.

Signs of hearing loss include:

  • Trouble hearing during phone conversations
  • Problems in following conversations in person
  • A need to turn up the TV volume
  • An inability to hear because of background noise
  • A feeling that others are mumbling
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