Deterioration in hearing ability can take place over many years, with changes starting as early as in one’s 40s. If you experience signs of hearing loss or you care for someone and notice the signs, it is important to know that age related hearing loss can be managed and more can be done than to ‘just live with it’. Based on statistic from the UK, the majority of those with age related hearing loss are aged 65 and over.
Our ability to hear is achieved by the ear, nervous system and brain working together to firstly capture and transmit sound and to extract information so that it is translated into meaningful signals in the brain. When one or more of these elements is adversely affected our ability to hear may be at risk. In the case of age-related hearing loss, damage or deterioration often occurs within the inner ear. Thousands of tiny hair-cells are contained within the cochlea of the inner ear, and their function can deteriorate in line with the natural aging processes of the body.
Unfortunately hair-cells are not replaced and cannot re-grow, meaning any resultant hearing loss is permanent. Hence why age-related hearing loss can be managed rather than cured.
While the aging process is something that must ultimately be accepted, it is regrettable that age-related hearing loss should ever be accepted as ‘one of the things that one can do nothing about’. The long term effects of hearing loss can lead to other issues including social exclusion and reduced interaction with others, feelings of anxiety, worry or even depression; all contributing to diminished quality of life.
There is help at hand, and first is it important to establish the extent of the hearing loss.
Hearing tests are non-intrusive procedures that are available through the a local hospital, via a referral from your family doctor or nursing home physician, or by attending a local high street hearing centre directly. Once the reason for and degree of hearing loss is established, you will be offered a number of options. These are meant to help manage the hearing loss, but are not designed to cure it. The most popular option is wearing a hearing aid. Hearing aids are tiny electronic devices that use battery power to amplify external sounds. The second popular group, one that is only available privately are assistive listening devices. These are daily living aids such as phones and alarms that have been designed with extra amplification in mind.
If you have any concerns for yourself or for a loved one, you should consult with your health care provider.
The writer works for a UK company that offers advice and products for the hard of hearing. Its range include tv hearing aids, amplified alerting devices for the deaf and most recently loud alarm clocks.