Hearing loss is also known as presbycusis. It is a physiological age-related process that occurs among all individuals in the old age. Like many other organs in the body, the hearing ability too wears out as we age. So what causes the hearing loss among the elderly? To put thing simply, a degeneration of outer hair cells of the cochlea. Cochlea is a sensory organ of hearing. The generation of cochlea can also be due to neural degeneration.
Can hearing loss be prevented?
Though hearing loss affects people of all ages, regardless of whether they are in the age bracket of 50s, 60s and 70s. Once this sets, it cannot be prevented spontaneously with a visit at the ear nose throat hospital.
Some ways to assess that an individual has started developing hearing loss
The ENT specialists at the ear nose throat hospital suggest that a person may face hearing loss if he/she faces difficulty in daily conversations, or turns the volume of television or other device higher than usual and faces difficulty to listen in telephonic conversations.
Treating hearing loss problems at ear nose throat hospital
- Once it has been established that the signs of hearing loss are positive, consult an ENT specialist straightaway to get your hearing evaluated.
- It has been observed that people in majority show sensori neural loss and require appropriate hearing aid.
- If antioxidants are added, it can prevent the progression of hear loss.
Deciding when to use a hearing aid
It is advised that one gets routine screening of hearing status. If the two successive hearing tests show signs on hearing loss, then consultation with ENT specialist & audiologist is advised.
A question that arises in mind is whether all hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids. So it must be understood that hearing aids work till the hearing loss is severe but beyond that when hearing loss becomes profound (beyond 90 – 100 db) even hearing aids fail to help.
In case the hearing aids do not help, what is the treatment?
COCHLEAR IMPLANT
A cochlear implant is a device that directly stimulates the neurons of the cochlear nerve, bypassing the cochlea, and is used in patients with bilateral profound hearing loss. The outcomes of cochlear implant surgery can be highly rewarding in elderly patients, as they often already have good speech ability and mainly need sound signals to be delivered to the ear.
What can be done to prevent progression of hearing loss once it has started?
Regularly consult with your ENT specialist.
- Undergo a hearing evaluation every 6 months.
- Get a hearing aid before hearing loss becomes severe.
- Maintain a healthy diet and reduce stress.
Avoid medications that can be harmful to the ears; your ENT specialist can provide more information on this.
