 Health & Nutrition
Thoughts on
Aging
Better Hearing
(3 minutes: 10 seconds)
 MP3 (audio
only)
Audio/Video Script:
Dr. LaVona Traywick
Assistant Professor - Gerontology
[Announcer] Welcome to Thoughts on Aging with Dr. LaVona Traywick,
Assistant Professor of Gerontology with the University of Arkansas Division of
Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
[Dr. LaVona Traywick] All knowledge of the world in which we live comes to us through our sensory
systems, vision, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. To survive, we must constantly
be aware of the environmental changes taking place within our sensory system as
each system contributes a specific type of information necessary for continuing
adaptation and adjustment. Just focusing on the auditory system lets us explore
this topic more deeply.
It is estimated that approx. 60% of people age 65+ and
about 90% of those over the age of 80 have some degree of hearing impairment
(Saxon, 2002). Yet many times older adults with hearing loss are treated as if
they are incompetent.
Many age-related changes take place in the inner, middle
and outer ear that affect hearing. Such changes include greater problems
detecting high-pitched sounds (presbycusis), difficulty with locating and
differentiating sound, inability to separate signal from noise, and decrease in
hearing acuity (about one decibel per year after the age of 65). If you or a
person you know is experiencing hearing loss, it is important to obtain an
examination and/or audiologic evaluation to assess any medical condition
contributing to the hearing loss.
If you are experiencing hearing loss, there are some things you can do to improve
your hearing, such as:
- Hearing aids have come a long way and new digital hearing aids can
better match amplification to your level of hearing loss.
- Telephone amplifiers or volume control can help you keep in touch.
- Use carpets, wall hangings, fabrics to reduce reflection of sound in
your home.
- Eliminate background music or other background noise when possible.
If you need to communicate with someone with hearing loss:
- Face person
- Speak slowly
- Enunciate
- Use lower pitch of voice
- Use touch where appropriate
Remember that it takes motivation, concentration, and energy for persons with
hearing impairments to function well and if that person is not feeling well,
he/she may not hear as well.
For more information on hearing loss or to have
your hearing tested, contact an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
certified audiologist.
I'm Dr. LaVona Traywick and those are just a few "Thoughts on Aging".
[Announcer] Thank you for listening to Thoughts on Aging with Dr. LaVona
Traywick. To learn more about this and other topics, contact your local county
Cooperative
Extension Service office.
References:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Self Test." Retrieved 1-12-09
from Self-Test (http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/Self-Test.htm)
Saxon, S. V., & Etten, M. J. (2002). Physical change & aging: A guide for the
helping professions, (4th ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
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