Hearing Loss is Common Among Seniors

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults.   They state that, “Approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.”

Hearing loss may result in difficulty following a conversation as well as the danger of not properly hearing a doctor’s advice.  Many older adults cannot hear the doorbell or may have trouble responding to alarms and other warning devices such as a smoke detector. 

The NIDCD lists several signs that may indicate you are suffering from hearing loss.  These include things like having problems hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others or a reluctance to attend family gatherings and church services. 

Common causes of hearing loss are a condition called presbycusis, which is gradual hearing loss that seems to run in families or exposure to loud noise over an extended period of time.  Other things that can increase your risk for hearing loss include earwax build-up, diabetes, listening to music with earbuds, and being overweight.

Your hearing loss may also be due to your medication.  The AARP reports that according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “more than 200 drugs, ranging from over-the-counter medications to chemotherapy, can damage hearing.”  Even common pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen have been linked to a higher risk of hearing loss when taken for six or more years as reported by a Brigham and Women’s Hospital 2016 study. 

If you feel you may be experiencing hearing problems, you will need to see a doctor to be tested.  Furthermore, since there are many reasons for hearing loss, treatment options will vary depending on the cause. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to creating a true home within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.