Older adults are the largest group of Americans suffering from hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Aging, about 33% of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 and about 50% of those aged 85 and over have a hearing problem.

The most common type of hearing loss in older persons is presbycusis, which means "hearing loss of aging" and describes a type of hearing loss linked to changes in the inner ear. People over age 50 are likely to lose some hearing each year due to presbycusis. People with this kind of hearing loss may have a hard time hearing what others are saying or may be unable to stand loud sounds. It is worse in large group conversations or in rooms with background noise. Just as hair turns gray at different rates, presbycusis develops at different rates. Typically men are more impaired than women of the same age.

Another common hearing problem in older persons is tinnitus, in which the person hears ringing or roaring sounds inside the ears. The sounds can vary in loudness and may be constant or can come and go. The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise, either over a long period of time or during one extreme incident.

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Implications for Older Adults

Hearing problems are potentially the most serious sensory impairment. When someone has hearing problems, it can affect many areas of their life.

Declining Senses Simulations

They may withdraw from social contacts, have difficulty using the telephone, or become unable to engage in favorite activities like listening to music. They may not be able to understand announcements or speeches, such as on a plane or in an auditorium. They may have difficulty following conversations, particularly in noisy or crowded environments. Family or friends may confuse the disorder with "forgetfulness" or "senility." People often deny the existence of their own hearing problems and may try to bluff their way through conversations. This can lead to misunderstandings with the potential to become quite serious. For example, a patient may not completely understand directions for taking prescription medications.

Learn How to Communicate with
a Hearing Impaired Person

References and Further Resources on Ears & Hearing

Web Sites

American Tinnitus Association

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders

Articles & Reports

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (April, 1999). Presbycusis. Bethesda, MD:National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/pubs_hb/presbycusis.htm

National Institute on Aging. (1996). Age Page. Hearing and older people. Washington, D.C.: National Institute on Aging.
http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/agepages/hearing.htm

Schmall, Vicky L. (1993). Sensory changes in later life. Oregon State University Extension and Experiment Station Communications.
http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat/pnw196.pdf

Schneider, Bruce A., Daneman, Meredyth, Murphy, Dana R., See, Sheree Kwong. (2000). Listening to discourse in distracting settings: the effects of aging. Psychology and Aging, 15 (1): 110-125.

Steinberg, J. (1995). "Graying of the Senses," Journal of National Institutes of Health Research, 7 (4): 32-33.