According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, nearly 27 million U.S. adults 50 and older have hearing loss. While being hard of hearing is bad enough on its own, it can also make people, especially seniors, more prone to other problems, such as falls, gait problems, and even dementia.
All those stats and facts should be enough reason for everyone, especially older adults, to implement hearing loss prevention strategies.
In this guide, the caring experts at Whitlock Place Assisted Living, our senior living community in Crawfordsville, IN, will share insights into maintaining optimal senior hearing health. Keep reading to discover hearing conservation tips to keep your or your older loved one's auditory functions in tip-top shape.
Noise is any unwanted or loud sound that, at high enough levels, can damage the fragile structures of the inner ear, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). An article published on Nature.com reports that NIHL is the primary cause of age-related auditory impairment and affects about a quarter of U.S. adults aged 20 to 69.
NIHL can be gradual, meaning it develops or worsens over time, but it can also be immediate and permanent. It can affect just one (unilateral hearing loss) or both ears (bilateral hearing loss).
Either way, the louder the noise (measured in decibels or dB), the more damaging it can be to hearing. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, sounds at or under 70 dB (such as when two people have a normal conversation) are safe. The maximum level for "safe" workplace noise exposure is 85 dB over an eight-hour day; any higher or longer than this can be harmful, such as:
One of the best ways to protect hearing is to avoid noises with such high dB values. If something loud is happening outside (e.g., a festival or parade), stay indoors with closed doors and windows. Likewise, limit your time in noisy environments.
The 60/60 guideline is for hearing protection and safe listening, recommending the following:
Following the 60/60 guideline is especially crucial for older adults who listen to their favorite tracks or podcasts using headphones or earphones.
Earplugs and earmuffs are ear protection devices that minimize the amount and intensity of noise that enters the ears. Although they are more common among people working in noisy environments, anyone can use them, especially seniors worried about healthy aging and hearing care.
Earplugs are tiny ear protectors of flexible materials, such as foam or silicon. They work by " plugging " into the ear canal (hence their name). They should dampen sound waves that penetrate the ear canal and reach the inner ear if used correctly.
Some earplugs are reusable, while others are disposable (one-time use). Regardless of the type, earplugs often have a better noise reduction rating (NRR) than earmuffs. NRR measures a hearing protection device's effectiveness and ability to reduce noise levels.
One drawback to earplugs is that they can be more complex to use, as you must:
Another potential issue is that constant earplug use can push cerumen, or ear wax, deeper into the ear canal. The longer this happens, the more likely you are to experience ear wax build-up, which can cause tinnitus or temporary hearing loss, according to Healthline.com.
Earmuffs consist of two earpieces connected by a headband. The earpieces cover the entire outer ear, while their cushions provide a more comfortable seal. When used correctly, earmuffs should reduce harmful sound waves entering and damaging the ears.
Earmuffs are easier to use than earplugs because they are external and worn over the ears, much like headphones. However, they offer less protection than earplugs. You must also ensure that nothing interferes with their creating a seal over the ears (e.g., hair or eyeglasses).
Conductive hearing loss (CHL) is a hearing impairment caused by problems with or blockages in the middle ear. One example is cerumen (ear wax) build-up.
Ear wax removal is usually a natural process, thanks to the ear's "self-cleaning" mechanism, which pushes it out of the ear canal. Once the wax reaches the outer ear, it dries up and falls out, a process facilitated by hair washing or showering.
When you wash your hair or shower, a small amount of water enters the canal, softening and dislodging any wax build-up. A clean washcloth dampened with clean water is often enough to wipe away cerumen outside the ear canal.
However, some older adults may experience cerumen build-up due to age-induced changes in the ear structure, causing their ear wax to become drier and stickier. In this case, regular professional ear cleanings should help.
For older adults who experience difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs), including personal hygiene tasks like showering, it may be time to consider transitioning to assisted living. In a community like Whitlock Place Assisted Living, a team of compassionate and highly skilled personal care providers is available 24/7 to help residents with ADLs.
Hearing loss prevention strategies involve minimizing noise exposure, following the 60/60 rule, using ear protection, and maintaining proper hygiene. They can help reduce the risks of preventable auditory impairments, so everyone, especially seniors, should implement them.
If you or an older loved one needs care and support for ADLs, such as showering and personal hygiene, we encourage you to explore Whitlock Place Assisted Living, our senior living community in Crawfordsville, IN. Here, professional but caring personal care providers await you, ready to provide compassionate help whenever needed. We also have many on-site amenities and programs to keep you moving, engaged, and healthy, including our physical and social activities and chef-prepared meals.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our assisted living community!