The Impact of Age-Related Hearing Loss on Quality of Life and What Can Be Done
Hearing Loss is a common problem that can occur as we age, and it is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions amongst older adults. Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, can be caused by many factors throughout our lives such as exposure to noise, genetics, physical traumas such as impact to the head and exposure to toxic medications and chemicals. Approximately 1 in 2 adults over the age of 65 will experience some degree of hearing loss in their lifetime.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Age related hearing loss often causes a decrease in our ability to hear high pitched sounds. You may first detect that children and females’ voices are harder to hear and are not as clear compared to a male’s low pitched voice. This hearing loss can also cause a difficulty hearing in background noise. This means that it may be more difficult to hear at busy restaurants, in shopping centres or at the theatre. It is also common for some adults to experience a ringing or buzzing noise in their ears known as tinnitus. Adults with age related hearing loss may also notice that they are asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the volume of the television or radio or mishearing conversations.
Hearing Loss and Mental Health
There is a very real and significant connection between our hearing and mental health. Age related hearing loss can cause or worsen anxiety. Hearing loss can create feelings of unease and worry in different areas of our day-to-day life, such as at work, in social settings and to our physical health. Hearing loss has been shown to cause fatigue and cognitive strain as more energy and effort is needed to listen. When our hearing decreases, we are working harder to fill in the gaps in our hearing which can be mentally and physically taxing. Also, hearing loss is strongly linked with depression. This is because a decrease in hearing can prevent individuals from participating in activities, social events and family gatherings, causing social withdrawal and isolation.
Additionally, hearing loss can affect our enjoyment of sound.
Hearing loss can cause sounds to become muted and lack quality that they once had. For example, hearing loss can alter the sound of music making it more difficult to appreciate different melodies and familiar songs. Hearing loss can also compromise our safety as warning sounds such as a car coming towards us or water boiling over can be muted and missed.
Not surprisingly, all these challenges caused by age related hearing loss can have significant impacts on an individual’s mental health and quality of life. Fortunately, there are clear ways to considerably reduce the impacts of hearing loss as we age.
The Importance of Annual Hearing Tests After Age 50
Firstly, it is imperative that you routinely have your hearing checked each year after the age of 50 years old. During annual hearing tests, your hearing care professional will test your hearing and track your hearing level over time. Your hearing care professional can provide you with advice and recommendations for maintaining your hearing level to avoid a significant decline in your hearing over time. This can include lifestyle modifications such as noise protection, diet and exercise. Additionally, your hearing care professional can ensure you are receiving the correct treatment or management for your hearing depending on your specific test results. Treating hearing loss at the right time is essential for mitigating the impact of age-related hearing loss and promoting greater quality of life.
There is no cure for age-related hearing loss once it is present. Your hearing care professional will make recommendations for you based on your hearing level. This may include hearing aids to assist you in hearing more clearly, assistive listening technology and lessons in auditory rehabilitation such as learning communication strategies and listening tactics.
Hearing loss due to ageing can be difficult to prevent and can have significant impacts on an individual’s quality of life. However, having regular hearing tests and utilising appropriate treatment and management strategies can considerably attribute to the improved quality of life for older adults.