Do you have aging parents? Have you started to notice that they don't seem to hear as well as they did when they were younger? If your parents seem to be experiencing hearing loss, it's important to have them get checked out as soon as possible. There are several different types of hearing loss and they should all be diagnosed by a doctor. Here are the different types of hearing loss that you and your parents should be aware of:
Tinnitus: Tinnitus frequently accompanies other types of hearing loss, but may also show up by itself. If your parents complain of hearing hissing, popping or even crickets that don't exist, they probably have tinnitus. It can be caused by a variety of things, including certain medication or exposure to loud noises. Because it can be caused by other health issues, it's important to have an audiologist evaluate your parents' hearing as soon as possible.
Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss happens when the sound waves can no longer make it to the auditory nerve. This may be caused by something as serious as a ruptured eardrum, or it may be a simple accumulation of ear wax. Depending on the exact cause, this type of hearing loss is often the easiest to treat.
Sensorineural: This is a permanent type of hearing loss that occurs when there is damage to either the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It doesn't always mean a complete loss of hearing, so hearing aids may be of some use to your parents if they are experiencing this type of hearing loss.
Presbycusis: This is the gradual loss of hearing that many people experience as they get older. If either of your parents has high blood pressure or gets frequent upper respiratory infections, they may be at a higher risk for this type of hearing loss. This type of hearing loss could take years before it is obvious to the person who has the hearing loss.
Your parents could be too proud to admit that their hearing is declining, or they may simply not notice due to how gradual it is. So if you think your parents are exhibiting signs of hearing loss, you may need to exert extra effort to convince them to speak to a doctor (such as one from Hearing Clinic) about it. Hearing loss may contribute to mental decline in those who are elderly, so it's extra important for them to be evaluated and have their hearing corrected if possible.
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