Hearing Loss In Women

By Kathy Mellott, AuD

Audiology Unlimited

. http://www.audiologyunlimited.net/

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Hearing Loss In Women

According to the Better Hearing Institute, “Addressing hearing loss helps women stay physically, cognitively and socially active Research shows that hearing loss is frequently associated with other physical, mental and emotional health conditions, and that women who address their hearing loss often experience a better quality of life.”

Hearing loss is a hidden disability and many times it is not obvious to others or to the person who has it. The onset of hearing loss is not always noticed and usually progresses slowly. As hearing worsens, the hearing-impaired individual is likely to develop feelings of depression and being isolated socially.

Several recent studies have looked at the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive function. Onestudy,conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging, found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing. It suggests that the link between hearing loss and dementia may be the result of years struggling to decipher sounds. The studies suggest that this struggle may “overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia.” Studies have also shown that a high percentage of people with Alzheimer's disease have hearing loss than in the regular population, but are less likely to receive hearing help due to overlapping symptoms.

Hearing loss has been linked to other health concerns such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Low-frequency hearing loss has been shown to have a greater occurrence in older women than in men and has been associated with known cardiovascular risk factors.

While hearing loss does not have to be an inevitable part of aging, when hearing loss has been determined to be permanent, there is help. Auditory deprivation, even a mild hearing loss, can impact cognitive function because of the effort expended in trying to hear. Hearing aid technology is constantly improving and is helpful for people to get back into social situations. Accessories such as Bluetooth and FM devices can supplement hearing aids for better speech understanding, especially in noise or group situations.

Hearing aids are not the answer for everyone with hearing impairment. Assistive devices can provide better hearing in specific situations. There are devices for the television and the telephone and one-on-one communication. Remote microphones can help improve speech understanding in noise, a major obstacle for older individuals. They can also facilitate tuning in to the conversation for the individual with cognitive issues. Use of hearing loop systems are helpful in bringing sound directly to the ears without background interference. These can be individual or whole-room devices, commonly used in churches and theaters. For some hearing-impaired individuals implantable hearing aids are an option. They do not require batteries and do not have to be removed when sleeping or bathing. There are also rechargeable hearing aids, which remove the necessity for changing batteries, especially for those with memory issues.

Healthy living has been shown to help prevent major health issues, including hearing loss. Healthy hearing helps people remain socially and cognitively connected. So, hearing checks should be considered a regular part of preventive healthcare.