Hearing loss in the elderly

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Although society is increasingly developed, science and technology is more and more advanced, which can help prolong human life, but still cannot prevent the aging process of age, especially the phenomenon of functional decline. hearing (senile hearing loss) in the elderly.

1. What is senile disease?

In the human body, the ear is divided into 3 parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Sound waves travel from the outer ear to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. Behind the eardrum, there are 3 small bones (hammer, incus, and stirrup) that receive vibration signals transmitted from the eardrum to the cochlea of ​​the inner ear and convert it into sound signals and send it to auditory nerve to reach the brain and allow humans to hear.
Presbyopia is a disease that represents hearing loss that occurs in the elderly. When suffering from this disease, the patient's hearing will be gradually reduced and both ears are affected equally, the patient may not realize it at first, but over time, when it is no longer possible. When I hear the phone ringing or the TV... then I realize that the disease may have gotten worse at this point.
According to statistics, in the US, about 10% of the population (nearly 30 million people) falls into a state of hearing loss, hearing loss or hearing loss... In which, the majority of patients are aged 65 or older. In Vietnam, according to a recent study in 3 provinces of Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh... the degree of hearing loss in people aged 60 - 74 years accounted for 36.61% (men) and 27.38% (female). For those aged 75 and over, the rate almost doubled: 65.08% for men and 57.6% for women.

2. Causes of senility in the elderly

Usually, the older the age, the more aging the body will be, one of the problems that people face is hearing loss, hearing will decrease more or less depending on the age of each person.
The exact cause of hearing loss in the elderly has not been found, however, according to experts, most cases of patients with hearing loss are caused by nerve cells that do not work. good or damaged work.
In addition, there can be several factors that cause damage to the nerve cells in the inner ear that can be considered as causes of hearing loss including:
Due to hardening of the arteries and narrowing of the blood vessels that supply them Blood to the cochlea reduces the amount of blood that feeds the nerve cells in the ear. Certain medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure can also make senility worse. Patients are exposed to noise for many years. Exposure to drugs or bodily residues. Smoking habits, overweight. Genetics Once the nerve cells are damaged excessively, the patient will realize their own hearing loss. Aging hearing will not make the patient completely deaf, but it also greatly affects hearing.
In many cases, patients with hearing loss have not been given adequate attention because of the subjective attitude that it is "old age disease", then the patient will not be cared for and treated, making the condition worse. more.
In addition to the age factor, if the patient is exposed to a loud noise environment for a long time, it will make the hearing loss worse, so it is necessary to wear ear protection. If the work involves sound, the instrument should be adjusted to a moderate volume. At the same time, build a healthy and scientific lifestyle to help the body get stronger and prevent age-related problems.

3. Signs of hearing loss in the elderly

When suffering from senile disease, the patient will have symptoms such as:
Hearing loss in both ears and worse in high-frequency tones Frequent dizziness, tinnitus Hearing loss with memory loss To be able to accurately diagnose the condition of hearing loss, it is necessary to conduct audiometry, blood tests and CT scan if suspected that the patient has other comorbidities.
Currently, at Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a service of monophonic audiometry and tympanometry. This is an objective method that can be used for non-cooperative cases. Steps to perform a hearing test with a new, good device: KARNSTORCH (imported from Germany).
Check the device Ear examination, if there is earwax, give it away. Choose the right earplug. Instruct the patient to sit still when measuring, do not raise hands, do not talk. Turn on the device, put the probe in the ear canal, when the green light indicates that the probe is in the correct position, proceed to measure according to the settings of the device. Measure each ear individually for the most accurate results.

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