Hearing loss is a decline in a person’s ability to hear speech and other sounds. Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear or auditory (hearing) system is not working in the usual way.
Deeper dive
Approximately one in three people between 65 and 74 has hearing loss; nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication disorders.
Hearing loss tends to worsen with age, and that can lead to other health problems. Men seem to suffer more frequently than women, but for both genders, hearing loss means more than just difficulty using the phone or enjoying a television show.
Older adults with hearing loss may have trouble understanding verbal instructions from health providers, something that could result in medication errors or not following care plans correctly. Older drivers may not hear horns, railroad crossing signals, emergency sirens, or other warning sounds – which could lead to accidents.
The main types of hearing loss include:
- Sensorineural loss – damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and is usually permanent; conductive loss means sound waves are not reaching the inner ear, and can be a result of something as simple as earwax buildup or more serious, like a ruptured eardrum. Treatment or surgery can usually restore conductive loss.
- Presbycusis – hearing loss which gradually develops with aging. Often the first sign is inability to hear higher-pitched sounds. It commonly affects people over 50, many of whom are likely to lose some hearing each year.
Other causes of hearing loss include disease, trauma, medications or long-term exposure to loud noises. Tinnitus, which is a symptom of hearing loss, not a disease, is a frequent complaint of older adults. They hear a ringing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing sound that may come and go, in one or both ears.
Older people who can’t hear well may become depressed or withdraw from others to avoid frustration or embarrassment in social situations. Sometimes older people are mistakenly thought to be confused, unresponsive, or uncooperative when it’s really because they don’t hear well. Many people are reluctant to admit hearing loss and avoid seeking help. However, according to The Better Hearing Institute, untreated hearing loss is linked to:
- irritability, negativism and anger
- fatigue, tension, stress
- social rejection and loneliness
- reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
- impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
- reduced job performance and earning power
- diminished psychological and overall health
Untreated hearing problems may lead to permanent deafness, so experts advise undergoing regular hearing checkups, and mentioning any possible issues to their care provider. Traditional Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids, or exams for fitting hearing aids; some Medicare Advantage plans may pay for these costs however. Some financial help came from the FDA in August, 2022, when the agency improved access to over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. Consumers can now purchase devices directly from stores or online retailers without the need for a medical exam, prescription or a fitting adjustment by an audiologist.