Hearing loss in old people, otherwise known as senile deafness, is hearing damage caused by the aging process. It is very slow, so the initial hearing loss is imperceptible. The only treatment options are hearing aids, which improve the quality of life of a senior by enhancing the sound and reducing the annoying tinnitus.
Age-related hearing loss, or senile deafness, is a slowly progressive degenerative process of hearing caused by aging. By slowly progressive hearing loss we mean a loss of the order of 0.5-1 dB per year.
Hearing impairment in senile deafness is sensory in nature (sound conduction is not disturbed) and initially affects high frequencies (above 4000 Hz), but over time also affects tones of lower frequencies.
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
Sufficient deafness – causes
The disease is caused bychanges in the hearing organthat occur as a result of the aging of the organism. The first symptoms usually begin in the 3-4th decade of life. With age, changes occur in both the outer ear, middle ear (degeneration of the joints between the auditory ossicles) and the inner ear. However, only the latter are responsible for senile hearing impairment.We can distinguish 4 types of senile deafness:
- sensory – arises as a result of atrophic changes in Corti’s organ (speech understanding is not impaired),
- nervous – the cause is the atrophy of the snail’s nerve cells (typically speech understanding is impaired),
- metabolic and mechanical – caused by the disturbance of the so-called vascular stripe, which translates into an abnormal composition of the endolymph and disturbances in the functioning of the Corti organ.
The presented types of senile deafness in an isolated form are rare, and the disease is usuallyof a mixed nature.Most likely, the changes in the nervous auditory pathway and in the brain, and more precisely in the temporal lobe, where the hearing center is located, are also responsible for the hearing loss in senile deafness.
As mentioned, the annual hearing loss is usually no more than 1 dB. Therefore, thesymptoms are initially unnoticeable. Over time, the hearing impairment worsens. Patients increase the volume of the radio, TV and their interlocutors are asked to repeat their statements a little louder. Tinnitus is becoming more and more annoying.
Age-related deafness – symptoms
The main symptom of senile deafness ishearing lossandimpaired speech understanding, which increase in noiseand during a conversation with a larger number of people (receptions, conferences). The patient hears best in a small group of people, especially if he can observe the interlocutor’s mouth. Patients with senile deafness also complain of avery unpleasant and annoying tinnitus,which is better audible in silence.
All disturbing hearing abnormalities should be consulted with a doctor. You can do it in a traditional doctor’s office on the basis of NFZ services or use private,free examination programs. Hearing experts will test your hearing and will also suggest suitable ways to improve your hearing, if necessary.
Sufficient deafness – a visit to the doctor and tests
Patients looking for help usually go to a general practitioner who, after a short interview and examination, refers them to anotolaryngologist. Making a diagnosis is not a big problem. However, in order to accurately determine the hearing loss, audiometric testsare necessary :
- tonal threshold audiometry
- verbal audiometry.
Audiometric tests are carried out in specially adapted acoustically insulated rooms, which provide protection against external noise. The most optimal conditions are provided by the so-called silence cabin. By covering the walls and floor with special materials, it allows to achieve soundproofing up to 20-30 dB. Greater silencing is not recommended, because the patient then hears his own heartbeat and breathing, which is not pleasant for some patients and may adversely affect the test result. Each ear is tested separately. The ear that is not examined at the moment is jammed, the so-called white noise.
In threshold tone audiometry,the hearing thresholdis measured – that is, the softest sound heard by the patient. The graphic test result is an audiogram.Two curves: air and bone conductionare plotted on the grid of the audiogram, the vertical axis of which shows the threshold intensity of sound, and the horizontal axis of the frequency .
Verbal audiometryis used to assess speech understanding . The examined patient is asked to repeat the words heard through the handset. The words are properly selected phonetically. Hearing with speech is a slightly less thorough examination. The doctor, from a distance of about 6 meters, whispers appropriately selected words (e.g. wall, choir, existence, bull, liquid, thing), and the patient is asked to repeat them aloud. Sensorineural hearing impairment (and this is what we deal with in senile deafness) is indicatedby difficulties in repeating sounds of high frequencies(e.g. a, sas, time), and the inability to repeat sounds when closing the auditory opening – the examiner must come closer so that the patient can repeat them correctly spoken words.
Age-related deafness – risk factors
Age-related deafness appears with age. However, its onset and the speed of progression most likely depend on some factors:
- exposure to noise,
- metabolic disorders, overweight, obesity,
- little physical activity,
- smoking tobacco,
- atherosclerosis, high cholesterol,
- hypertension,
- diabetes.
The factors listed above are believed to contribute to theearlier onset of the disease and to be responsible for the faster progression of hearing loss.
The treatment delaying the onset of the disease and alleviating its course is:
- avoiding noise
- quitting smoking
- moderate physical activity, which in turn prevents atherosclerosis, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
In the prophylaxis of senile deafness,medications that improve metabolic processes in the brainare sometimes recommended . However, the effectiveness of this procedure is not fully confirmed.
Sufficient deafness – treatment
Unfortunately, there are no drugsthat would regress changes in the cochlea or in the auditory nerve.The disease is progressive, and hearing aidsprovide the only chance to improve patients’ quality of life . These are small devices consisting of a receiver, amplifier and headphones. There are cameras that are additionally equipped with a noise generator. It allows you to mask the unpleasant tinnitus that patients with senile deafness complain about. Hearing aids are currently available, for example, allowing the selection of the appropriate program depending on the acoustic situation of the patient.
Sufficient hearing loss – frequently asked questions
Can the condemnation of disease be stopped?
Senile deafness is a slowly progressive disease. Even after hearing loss is diagnosed, minimizing risk factors can slow the progression of the disease. On the other hand, there is a theory suggesting that the use of vitamins A and E contributes to the inhibition of the degeneration process within the hearing organ.
How is senile deafness treated?
Age-related deafness is not curable. It slowly progresses, contributing to increasing sensorineural hearing loss. The pathology does not concern the sound conducting apparatus (auricle, bones, eardrum), but the receiving elements (cochlea, auditory nerve), which, unfortunately, do not have the ability to regenerate. Surgical treatment (such as in otosclerosis) is ineffective. The only way to improve your daily functioning is to use hearing aids.
Do I need to wear a hearing aid for life?
Yes. There is no known other treatment for senile deafness. The hearing aid not only improves hearing, but also alleviates the unpleasant symptoms of tinnitus.
What are the first symptoms of senile deafness?
The main symptom is hearing impairment. Difficulties with understanding speech typically arise, especially in a larger group of people. Usually, however, it takes a long time for the patient to notice these symptoms (increases the volume of the TV, radio, asks the interlocutor to repeat the statement).
Significant hearing loss undoubtedly impairs the normal functioning of the patient. The most effective prevention is the reduction of risk factors. Hearing protection is recommended when exposed to prolonged noise. Improving your hearing means wearing a hearing aid for the rest of your life. However, nowadays smaller and smaller devices are produced, so they are practically invisible and do not constitute a cosmetic defect.
