5 Ways of Improving Hearing in Elders

Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common health issues that affect the elderly adults. It is also called Presbycusis and this condition manifests itself slowly as one grows older. Usually, this hearing loss affects both the ears equally and may often go unnoticed as the process is gradual. Many elders realize that they have this problem only after they have lost a substantial amount of their hearing ability.

Loss of hearing has dramatic effects on the quality of life that elders can lead. It can make social interactions difficult leading to isolation and depression.

Types of Hearing Loss

• Conductive Hearing Loss which occurs due to problems associated with the ear canal, eardrum, middle ear or ear bones. Common reasons for this include ear infection, fluid accumulation in the middle ear, allergies, malformation in the ear structure, excessive earwax, hereditary conditions, benign tumours and presence of foreign objects in the ears.
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss which happens due to problems in the inner ear and is related to the nerves. Some causes for this are aging, presence of tumours, constant exposure to loud noises, head injury/trauma, heredity, auto-immune disease, abnormalities in the inner ear including ear inflammation and Meniere’s disease.
• Mixed Hearing Loss which can occur due to a combination of the above reasons.

Age-Related Hearing Loss is essentially a type of Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Symptoms include-

• Facing difficulties in understanding and comprehending conversations especially in noisy environments
• Having a perception that others are mumbling even when they are speaking clearly
• Overwhelmed by  specific sounds as they are annoying or loud to bear
• Experiencing tinnitus(ringing sound in the ears)

Elders who feel that they are facing such difficulties in their hearing function should consult the ENT doctor immediately for diagnosing the type, cause and severity of the condition by appropriate hearing evaluation. Based on this, the appropriate treatment roadmap may be recommended.

Hearing Loss Treatment

• Using Hearing Aids - Hearing Aid Treatment involves the use of electronic devices called hearing aids in or behind the ears. These devices amplify the sound to enable better hearing. Various styles of hearing aids include Behind-the-ear(BTE), In-the-Ear(ITE), In-the-Canal(ITC), Mini BTE and Completely-in-Canal(CIC).
• Cochlear Implants - These are electronic devices which are surgically implanted in the inner ear to aid people who are completely deaf or have severe hearing dysfunction.
• Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems - These are so designed as to utilize the body’s natural ability for transferring sound by bone conduction. A sound processor relays the sound through vibrations to the inner ear.
• Assistive Devices - Several devices as amplifiers for telephones and cell phones, hearing loop systems and electronic apps for smart phones may be helpful for better hearing.
• Lip and Speech Reading - Here special training may be given to the elders through therapy for following conversational speech through body language and lip movements.

Ways for Improving Hearing in Elders

• Solving puzzles - Hearing loss is associated with brain atrophy where brain cells and interlinking connections are damaged. This may be prevented by doing various puzzles like crosswords, Sudoku and word searches to sustain and enrich brain functioning.
• Doing yoga and exercise - Yoga and exercise enhances the circulation in the brain and ears thereby improving nervous functions and detoxification process. Yoga poses that improve hearing include tree, lotus, cobra and triangle pose. Exercises may include walking, gardening and even doing routine household work regularly.
• Avoid loud sounds - Elders must avoid constant exposure to loud noises and use headphones in comfortable volumes.
• Performing Meditation - Meditation and deep breathing improves blood flow and increases oxygen content. This helps in deciphering sounds in noisy environments.
• Quitting smoking - The nicotine and carbon-monoxide content in the cigarettes deprive the inner ear of oxygen supply and affect the neurotransmitters in the auditory nerves. Hence it is strongly advisable to quit smoking.