According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, hearing loss affects one in three U.S. adults between 65 and 74 and almost half of adults 75 and older. Chronic exposure to loud noises, changes in the auditory system, and medical conditions are just some factors that may contribute to age-related hearing loss.
The good news is that not all cases of senior auditory decline are permanent. Some are still treatable, in which case the goal is to prevent the signs of hearing loss from worsening or causing more problems.
To that end, the caring team behind TerraBella Summerville, our senior living community in Summerville, SC, put together this guide. Read on to learn more about hearing impairment symptoms and the crucial roles that early detection of hearing loss plays.
Signs of Hearing Loss in Seniors
Signs of hearing loss in older adults can manifest in many ways, including:
- Trouble picking up sounds and words
- Difficulty communicating
- Chronic tinnitus
- Avoiding social gatherings
- Mental health problems
Let’s explore each one in more detail.
Trouble Picking Up Sounds and Words
Hearing loss impairs the ears’ ability to pick up sounds, resulting in the following symptoms:
- Sounds and speech seem muffled
- Loud sounds become less intense
- Difficulty hearing non-vowel letters in words
- Trouble hearing in crowded or noisy areas
Older adults with hearing loss may also notice that they keep raising the volume of their TV or radio. They may only realize this when others tell them or complain about their devices being too loud.
Difficulty Communicating
Communicating with others becomes more challenging for people with hearing loss, as they may have difficulty:
- Understanding spoken words, especially if there’s a lot of background noise
- Following conversations, especially when multiple people talk at once
- Hearing what a person says over the phone
- Recognizing words, as it may seem like others are mumbling
- Grasping what people with higher-pitched voices are saying
If you or an older loved one experiences one or more of the symptoms above, you may have also asked others to:
- Talk slower
- Speak more clearly
- Say things in a louder voice
- Repeat what they said multiple times
Chronic Tinnitus
According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), tinnitus is a common physical condition that affects one in ten American adults. It’s a symptom of several medical problems, including hearing loss.
People with tinnitus experience noises in their ears without external sources. In other words, only they can hear these sounds, which can be:
- Ringing
- Hissing
- Buzzing
- Roaring
In some people, tinnitus doesn’t require medical intervention and may improve, even without treatment. However, it may also worsen and become more frequent, especially if it’s a symptom of worsening hearing loss. When tinnitus lasts for at least three months, it’s what you call “chronic tinnitus.”
Unaddressed, chronic tinnitus can worsen and impair a person’s ability to:
- Perform activities of daily living (ADLs) independently
- Concentrate
- Sleep
Avoiding Social Gatherings
Some seniors with hearing loss may choose to avoid social events because they may feel:
- Embarrassed, as they may think that people will get annoyed with them for having to repeat themselves
- Frustrated with themselves for being unable to hear and converse properly
- Afraid of having others look down on them due to their inability to hear correctly
- Stressed due to experiencing difficulties following and maintaining conversations
The problem is socialization is necessary to maintain optimal senior health and wellness. Without this, older adults are more likely to become isolated and experience loneliness.
Mental Health Problems
Older adults with hearing loss may also exhibit symptoms of mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Indeed, according to HelpGuide.org, research shows that hearing loss tends to make people experience more anxiety. Individuals with hearing loss also have increased risks of developing depression.
Anxiety can cause the following symptoms:
- Nervousness, tenseness, or restlessness
- Difficulty making decisions and concentrating
- Elevated heart rate
- Shaking, sweating, or trembling
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Sleep problems
As for depression, some of its symptoms include:
- Persistent low moods and feelings of sadness
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Irritability and intolerance of others
- Low motivation or disinterest
- Having no enjoyment of life
- Anxiety or extreme worriedness
The Importance of Detecting Hearing Loss Early
Early detection and diagnosis of hearing loss, usually through an audiology consultation, allow for prompt intervention with appropriate treatments and hearing aids. For cases where hearing loss is treatable (e.g., conductive hearing loss), the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the chance of recovery. Even if hearing loss is permanent, early detection can make a massive difference in seniors’ quality of life.
Mitigating Social Isolation and Boosting Mental Health
By treating hearing loss, seniors can hear or perceive sound better, improving their communication abilities. When they can communicate and converse with others better, they’re more likely to participate in engaging activities and events. The more connected and social they are, the lower their risks for isolation and loneliness.
Addressing hearing loss through early detection and treatment can also boost mental health, as it helps combat social isolation. It also gives seniors renewed self-esteem, as they can enjoy speaking with others more naturally.
Minimizing Safety Hazards of Untreated Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss can make older adults more prone to accidental injuries because it can result in:
- Reduced awareness of the environment
- Slow or poor reactions due to impaired awareness
- Balance problems, increasing the risk of elderly falls
Hearing loss treatment, whether through medication or hearing aids, can help reduce those risks by improving spatial awareness and balance.
Never Ignore the Symptoms of Hearing Loss
From trouble hearing to struggling with communication and experiencing mental health woes, these are all signs of hearing loss that seniors should never take for granted. Instead, they should have their ears and auditory functions tested immediately. The sooner they do, the sooner they can receive appropriate treatment and avoid symptom progression or other problems like falls.
TerraBella Summerville, our senior living community in Summerville, SC, prioritizes the well-being of our residents with round-the-clock personal care and a compassionate, peaceful environment. Our residents, including those with hearing loss, enjoy nutritious meals and access to daily activities and events that foster physical, social, and cognitive wellness.
Call us today to schedule a visit and see how we help our residents live life to the fullest!
