There are currently over 10 million people with hearing loss in the UK, of which 6.3 million are aged 65 or over. In fact, 40% of 50 year olds suffer while over 70% of 70 year olds suffer. Currently, only a small percentage of people with hearing loss receive the treatment they need (around 2 million), and it currently takes up to 10 years for people with hearing loss to seek treatment.
In America, about a third of all people aged 65 to 74 have hearing problems, and that number drops to half of the senior population by the age of 85. It is also estimated that only one in five Americans receives treatment that is beneficial for hearing loss.
Although hearing problems are more common in older people, they are not inevitable. If people are given the right treatment, the likelihood of hearing problems having a big impact on daily life will drop dramatically.
Common hearing problems
There are a number of common hearing problems that can affect older people. These include: tinnitus, ear canal obstruction, otitis media, otosclerosis, Ménière’s disease and viruses or other illnesses. There are four main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, mixed, and unilateral deafness.
Ménière’s disease is an example of sensorineural deafness. Ménière’s disease is a rare disease that affects the inner ear. It is a condition that can affect a person suddenly and without warning. Ménière’s disease is a disease that goes through several stages. In the first stage of the disease, there are between 6 and 11 symptoms per year. In the advanced stage of the disease, symptomatic attacks become less frequent, but balance problems and discontinuities in the feet can occur. Symptoms of this condition include: tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss, and a feeling of deep pressure in the ear. However, there is currently no specific treatment for Ménière’s disease: changes in diet, certain medications, surgeries, or treatments for hearing loss or tinnitus can also help alleviate symptoms of the disease.
Otosclerosis is an example of conductive hearing loss. Otosclerosis is a disease of the middle ear that causes progressive hearing loss. The disease affects the bones of the middle ear, and this is because the disease causes abnormal bone growth around the existing bones, which results in decreased bone movement, which ultimately leads to attachment and fusion. bone. Bones of the middle ear with the cochlea, resulting in severe hearing loss. Symptoms of otosclerosis include: hearing loss, calm speech, tinnitus, dizziness, and paracusia (best heard with lots of background noise). Treatments for this condition include: hearing aids, fluoride tablets, and in some cases, surgery may be a viable option.
Mixed hearing loss is usually a combination of sendorineural and conductive hearing loss. This means that the outer ear as well as the inner and middle ear can be damaged. An example of this would be a virus or disease that can cause hearing loss. Symptoms and treatment may vary depending on the condition.
Single-sided deafness occurs when a person has hearing loss or hearing loss in one ear while maintaining normal hearing in the other ear. The symptoms of single-sided deafness can vary from person to person. Some symptoms that can occur in a person are as follows: Difficulty determining which direction the sound is coming from, and it can also be difficult to do daily chores.
Home care and hearing loss
A home care kit can be helpful for people who are hard of hearing. In fact, a caregiver can visit the person and help them with various daily tasks. This includes: all aspects of personal hygiene, medication management, food preparation and housework. This can be particularly beneficial for people with hearing problems. This is mainly due to the fact that they may have other symptoms, including problems with balance or uneven feet.