Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older and elderly adults, and it is still widely untreated. As the rates of hearing loss in older citizens are expected to rise in the coming years, researchers are looking for cost effective methods to help patients with their hearing.
A condition on the rise
In a Johns Hopkins study published earlier this month, it was revealed that 15 percent of US adults, or 44 million, will experience some hearing loss by 2020. That estimate is expected to rise to 23 percent of all adults 20 and older by the year 2060.
Hearing loss currently affects about one-third of adults 61 to 70 years of age and more than 80 percent of those older than 85 years. Men tend to experience greater hearing loss and have earlier onset compared with women. It is a common side effect of aging, as structures in the inner ear deteriorate. However, a number of other factors can lead to or worsen hearing loss, in particular exposure to loud noises. Many adults are exposed to damaging levels of sounds both at work and in their leisure time.
The rapid rise of hearing loss means that convenient, low-cost treatment methods that work for older adults are more important than ever. “In the coming decades, there will be an increased need for affordable interventions and access to hearing healthcare services,” lead researcher Adele Goman commented.
The increase in hearing loss rates will be the most pronounced among those 70 and older: in 2020, 55 percent of all adults with hearing loss will be over 70. By 2060, 67 percent of people with hearing issues will be in this age bracket.
Barriers to improved hearing
Hearing loss in seniors can lead to a variety of side effects including decreased mobility, depression, anxiety and accelerated mental decline. All of these factors add up to a lower overall quality of life, and less interest in social situations. As people become more isolated, negative feelings worsen, and the cycle continues. Treatment with hearing aids can greatly mitigate these factors, but there are still many barriers standing in the way of wide-scale hearing loss treatment.
As hearing devices are not covered by Medicare, many seniors find themselves having to pay the full cost of their devices, or look for an insurance that will pay for part of the expense. But senior advocates say that cost is not the only obstacle to getting many older people the help they need.
Hearing loss often occurs gradually, and many seniors do not realize they are experiencing it, or they fail to realize how serious their loss has become. Audiological specialists now recommend that all adults age 55 and older have their hearing tested. Other barriers include the idea that hearing loss is a normal, untreatable part of aging, a fear of being stigmatized for wearing hearing aids, and difficulty adjusting to hearing aids. With hearing loss rates on the rise, health experts are stressing the need for advanced audiological solutions and increased hearing health awareness and outreach in older communities.
The benefits of hearing aids
With hearing loss, getting treatment sooner rather than later brings a whole host of health benefits. Treatment with hearing aids starts with a simple hearing exam. This first step is a critical one, but many seniors delay this test for years, out of worry, fear or denial about their hearing loss.
At your hearing exam, our audiologist will determine your level of hearing damage, then ask you questions about your daily activities, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and budget to help you find the hearing device that best suits your needs.
Hearing aids may take some time to get used to, and a few adjustments are often necessary at the outset. For many this adjustment period can be frustrating, but soon wearing a hearing aid will become a comfortable, normal part of everyday life. And sticking with it is worth it, as hearing aids can improve your quality of life in a number of ways. Not only will it become easier to understand your loved ones, but being able to hear correctly will improve your mental acuity, confidence, mobility, and overall health and well-being.
Contact us at Desert Valley Audiology today to begin your journey to better hearing health.