5 Signs of Elderly Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common condition affecting older adults. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), around 36 million (or 17 percent) of American adults admit having some degree of diminished hearing. Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including noise, disease, medication, heredity, or simply aging.

An elderly person with hearing loss faces many difficulties in his or her daily life, from not being able to hear and join in conversation with family and friends, to having trouble understanding a doctor’s advice. One study even links hearing loss with cognitive problems in the elderly, going so far as to suggest that it could even speed up the progression of dementia.

Five signs that indicate that an elderly person may be suffering from hearing loss can be seen below. If a senior exhibits one or more of the following symptoms, it may be time to consult a doctor:

• Frequently ask you to repeat yourself, or speak clearly, slowly, and/or loudly in conversation
• Have difficulty understanding words, especially in a crowd or a setting with background noise
• Turn up the volume of the television or radio frequently
• Uncharacteristically withdraw from conversations
• Start avoiding social settings

The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doctor when one or more of the above signs of hearing loss begin interfering with your loved one’s quality of life. With 30 percent of adults 65-74 and 47 percent of adults over 75 having hearing impairment, knowing the signs and symptoms of hearing loss can help your elderly loved one live a happier and more fulfilling life after catching and treating hearing problems early on.

How have your addressed your loved one’s hearing loss? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments.

Related: The Senior Hearing Test You Can Do Yourself

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