Nearly half of adults aged 75 and older have a hearing impairment, according to the NIH. Unfortunately, when symptoms are ignored or left untreated, they can get worse. Not only that but adult hearing loss can also lead to other complications, including feelings of frustration, withdrawal from social activities, and even depression. Let's take a closer look at the issue of hearing loss, along with what caregivers can do to help their aging loved ones manage hearing loss.
About Hearing Loss and Seniors
More than 37 million American adults -- 15 percent -- report having at least some
trouble with hearing, and the condition becomes even more common with age.
There are many different forms of hearing loss, ranging from the inability to hear certain sounds to complete loss of hearing. Its causes are many, and can include everything from heredity to long-term exposure to loud sounds.
Generally, hearing loss can be divided into two groups: sensorineural hearing loss, in which the inner ear or auditory nerve incurs permanent damage; and the largely treatable conductive hearing loss, in which sound waves can no longer access the inner ear.
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