Hearing Loss Prevention: How Seniors Can Protect Their Hearing

Changes in hearing are a common occurrence with aging. Older adults might experience muffled conversations as social engagements become increasingly difficult.

Fortunately, there are steps that older adults can take which aid in hearing loss prevention, working to maintain their overall quality of life.

Part of senior hearing health begins with understanding the contributing factors of hearing loss. This ranges from a few lifestyle adjustments and protective habits, along with routine check-ups to ensure auditory health is preserved as best as possible. This helpful guide about senior ear health explains more.

Understanding Hearing Loss

There are two main types of hearing loss to familiarize yourself with. This includes the following:

• Conductive
• Sensorineural

When a person has conductive hearing loss, it means that sound waves can't travel from the outer ear canal into the eardrum. This prevents sound from reaching the tiny bones inside the ear and has several causes. It might be:

• Earwax buildup
• Middle ear fluid retention
• Different infections

Sensorineural sharing is different from conductive hearing loss in that it means the inner ear, or cochlea, has been damaged. The auditory nerve pathways that connect sound to the brain have sustained some type of injury leading to hearing loss which is common among seniors. This is also noise-induced hearing loss that occurs over time.

Other reasons for this type of age-related hearing loss include different medications and even medical conditions such as diabetes.

How to Protect Your Ears in Loud Environments

Some hearing protection tips in loud environments work to reduce how many loud sounds a person is exposed to. These noises might be from recreational activities or related to a person's occupation.

If a senior is still employed and is around loud noises, they should use noise-canceling headphones or earphones.

When mowing the lawn, for example, or attending concerts or other loud events, seniors should follow the same safety practices. It's best if they wear earplugs to dampen the noise or noise-canceling headphones if necessary. The same holds true for older adults using loud power tools.

The Importance of Regular Hearing Checkups

Regular health checkups are another excellent idea, so seniors should schedule an appointment with an audiologist.

Audiologists are a type of hearing specialist who can check for changes in a person's hearing. Depending on what they find during a hearing test, they can make recommendations for the best interventions. This all plays a major role in preserving auditory function and managing age-related hearing loss.

The sooner an older adult discovers they have hearing loss, the more options that are available to help them preserve their hearing. They may need hearing aids or other listening devices. They can also work with audiologists on different hearing therapies.

Don't Forget to Manage Health Conditions

Different health conditions can affect a person's overall health. One of these health conditions is cardiovascular health.

When seniors actively exercise to maintain a healthy heart, especially by engaging in cardiovascular exercises, they can work to preserve their hearing. Other ways of managing health conditions that lead to hearing loss include eating a well-balanced diet and stopping smoking.

Since diabetes can contribute to hearing loss, older adults need to control their sugar levels. It's also crucial for seniors to regularly visit with their doctors, as these checkups can help healthcare professionals with monitoring and managing any chronic conditions of theirs.

Always Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Yes, routine health monitoring is essential for preventing hearing loss, but so is making healthy lifestyle choices. This means focusing on diet, incorporating:

• Antioxidants
• Vitamins
• Minerals

Some essential vitamins for hearing loss are magnesium and zinc. Additionally, older adults should incorporate Omega-3 fatty acids.

However, older adults should always speak with a physician before switching their diets or incorporating vitamins and minerals in supplement form, as this may interact with any current medications.

As previously mentioned, cardiovascular health is part of hearing loss prevention. Older adults should speak with their doctors about the best exercises for their needs since this works to ensure good circulation. When blood circulates properly, the auditory system can receive adequate blood flow.

Some activities for older adults to consider include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Senior fitness classes

When older adults engage in physical activity and new routines, they can work to prevent certain types of age-related hearing loss while improving their overall health and cognitive function.

Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol and Caffeine

Too much alcohol and caffeine can contribute to a variety of auditory issues. It can make tinnitus worse and affect overall hearing health. Caffeine can impact a person's blood flow, so it's best to reduce or eliminate these substances.

Be Mindful of Ototoxic Medications

Ototoxic medications can damage the auditory system. This means older adults should check with their physicians before beginning any type of medication that might damage their hearing. Although certain medications can't be avoided, seniors can speak to their doctors about alternative medications or ways of combating hearing loss.

Social Interaction and Support

Seniors should engage in social interaction, as this promotes cognitive stimulation and can enhance their overall well-being. This can make age-related hearing loss easier for seniors to handle as they receive the appropriate emotional support. They can engage in a variety of activities and events with other seniors.

Hearing Loss Prevention in Seniors

Hearing loss prevention is essential for older adults, which is why they need supportive social networks and routine physical checkups with their physician and an audiologist. They can also speak to their doctor about speech therapy or hearing aids, along with other types of hearing therapy.

Additionally, seniors should reduce their exposure to loud noises, taking preventative measures such as noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. By making a few small changes and staying informed about hearing health, seniors can continue to engage in conversations with ease while also enjoying their favorite sounds.

The Watermark at Westwood Village is one of the best senior living communities in Los Angeles, CA, complete with a robust activities calendar, a variety of dining options, and a variety of senior living options. Contact us today and connect with a member of our dedicated staff.