Adult Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a common problem among older individuals. Approximately 25% to 40% of adults older than 65 years have some degree of hearing loss, and it is estimated that 40% to 66% of people aged 75 years and older have hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among older Americans after high blood pressure and arthritis.
TYPES OF HEARING LOSS
There are 2 major forms of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural.
Conductive hearing loss is usually due to abnormalities in the middle or external ear, such as a punctured eardrum, presence of fluid in the middle ear, or accumulation of cerumen (ear wax) in the external ear canal. These problems require evaluation by a doctor and can often be successfully treated.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the tiny hairs inside the cochlea that are crucial for picking up sound vibrations and translating them into nerve impulses. These impulses are relayed by the acoustic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as sound. Sensorineural hearing loss accounts for about 90% of hearing loss related to aging. Sensorineural hearing loss usually occurs gradually in both ears. Patients with sensorineural hearing loss often have a hard time filtering out background noises and tend to hear lower-pitched sounds better than higher-pitched sounds. Sensorineural hearing loss may be prevented by limiting exposure to loud noise. Ear protection (such as ear plugs) should be worn to dampen sound if loud noise is unavoidable.
Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss may involve the use of sound amplification devices like hearing aids. In cases of severe sensorineural hearing loss, a surgical procedure called cochlear implantation may be suggested. This procedure allows sound vibrations to bypass the hair cells and directly stimulate the acoustic nerve to transport sound signals to the brain.
Individuals with hearing loss should be evaluated by their primary care physician, who may refer them to an otolaryngologist (a doctor specializing in the ears, nose, and throat) or an audiologist (an expert in hearing testing and hearing aids) for further evaluation and treatment.
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org
American Academy of Audiology
http://www.audiology.org/
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Sharon Parmet, MS, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2003;289(15):2020. doi:10.1001/jama.289.15.1895.
JAMA. 2003;289(15):2020. doi:10.1001/jama.289.15.1895.
Hearing loss is a common problem among older individuals. Approximately 25% to 40% of adults older than 65 years have some degree of hearing loss, and it is estimated that 40% to 66% of people aged 75 years and older have hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among older Americans after high blood pressure and arthritis.
TYPES OF HEARING LOSS
There are 2 major forms of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural.
Conductive hearing loss is usually due to abnormalities in the middle or external ear, such as a punctured eardrum, presence of fluid in the middle ear, or accumulation of cerumen (ear wax) in the external ear canal. These problems require evaluation by a doctor and can often be successfully treated.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the tiny hairs inside the cochlea that are crucial for picking up sound vibrations and translating them into nerve impulses. These impulses are relayed by the acoustic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as sound. Sensorineural hearing loss accounts for about 90% of hearing loss related to aging. Sensorineural hearing loss usually occurs gradually in both ears. Patients with sensorineural hearing loss often have a hard time filtering out background noises and tend to hear lower-pitched sounds better than higher-pitched sounds. Sensorineural hearing loss may be prevented by limiting exposure to loud noise. Ear protection (such as ear plugs) should be worn to dampen sound if loud noise is unavoidable.
Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss may involve the use of sound amplification devices like hearing aids. In cases of severe sensorineural hearing loss, a surgical procedure called cochlear implantation may be suggested. This procedure allows sound vibrations to bypass the hair cells and directly stimulate the acoustic nerve to transport sound signals to the brain.
Individuals with hearing loss should be evaluated by their primary care physician, who may refer them to an otolaryngologist (a doctor specializing in the ears, nose, and throat) or an audiologist (an expert in hearing testing and hearing aids) for further evaluation and treatment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.entnet.org
http://www.asha.org
Click here to download a copy of this article.
<< Back to article index...
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PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.