Types of health professionals for hearing problems There are various types of health professionals who specialize in hearing problems. As a healthcare professional, you may need to refer the older adult to an otolaryngologist or an audiologist. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in the ears, nose, and throat. An examination will be performed, a history taken, and tests may be suggested. An audiologist is a healthcare ● Presbycusis: Presbycusis is an age-related hearing loss that is common in people older than age 50. The hearing decline is slow, and symptoms include difficulty hearing and intolerance of loud sounds. This type of hearing loss may be a sensorineural loss, which is damage to the inner ear, auditory nerve, or hearing pathways. Other causes of presbycusis are exposure to loud noises, infections, head injury, high blood pressure, and certain medications. Presbycusis may be hereditary. ● Conductive : Conductive hearing loss occurs when Types of hearing losses Different types of hearing loss can occur: something blocks the sounds from the tympanic membrane of the inner ear. This block may be excessive earwax, fluid accumulation, a punctured tympanic membrane, or an infection. This type of hearing loss is often easily treated. Older adults should never attempt to clean wax out of the How to help people with hearing loss People with hearing loss need to let others know that they have a problem. Encourage patients with hearing loss to be evaluated for hearing aids, which amplify sounds; however, hearing aids often pick up background noises and are therefore not helpful in restaurants and crowds. Patients should contact their insurance company to determine whether their insurance will pay for any part of the cost of a hearing aid. As previously mentioned, Medicare does not pay for hearing aids, nor do Medigap plans (Medicare.gov, n.d.). Hearing aids need to be fitted and require the use of batteries. Many older adults give up on hearing aids shortly after they purchase them because the amplification of sound may be disconcerting, and they consider the device to be disfiguring. Going back to the dealer for services and instructions may help. Encourage older adults to exercise patience in adapting to the hearing aid and tell them that it will take some time to adjust to it. A cochlear implant may be recommended if the hearing loss is profound (NIDCD, 2016a). This requires surgical placement of a small electrode under the skin behind the ear. This device, which uses a small microphone to pick up sounds, sends the sound message directly to the brain. This is not useful for all people with hearing loss, but for some it can make the difference between total silence and hearing (NIDCD, 2016a).
professional trained to measure hearing and determine whether hearing aids may be helpful. If so, the audiologist will select the appropriate hearing aid and assist the older adult in maximizing its effectiveness. Be aware, however, that hearing aids can be quite expensive, and Medicare does not pay for them (Medicare. gov, n.d.). ear themselves. If a considerable amount of wax is present and a swab is inserted, a partial blockage may become a complete blockage. There is also the risk of damaging the tympanic membrane or scratching the ear canal, which may lead to an infection. ● Tinnitus : Tinnitus is a ringing, roaring, or other noise in the ears. The cause of tinnitus is unknown but it is associated with loud noises, hearing loss, certain medications, and other health problems. For most people, the ringing becomes less noticeable and, for some, it disappears or comes and goes intermittently. Sometimes addressing an underlying condition or eliminating a medication can cure or alleviate tinnitus. Some patients find relief by installing a white noise machine or turning on a fan to create background noise. Many simply learn to ignore the condition, though in severe cases this can be difficult (Mayo Clinic, 2013). There are many assistive devices that allow an older adult with hearing loss to live a healthy, normal life. These include telephone amplifiers, television and radio systems, and flashing lights for smoke detectors, telephones, doorbells, and many other household items. Lastly, help the patient’s family understand how to communicate most effectively. These are some tips to improve communication with older adults who have hearing loss: ● Ensure a quiet environment. ● Make sure you have the patient’s attention before speaking. ● Stand or sit in front of the patient, and do not cover your mouth or have anything in your mouth. ● Do not position yourself in front of a light; it may make reading lips difficult. ● Speak clearly at a normal pace; do not shout. ● Use body language. ● Write out words on a pad, if necessary. ● When using an interpreter, look directly at the patient, not the interpreter. ● Repeat the statement, then rephrase it if the patient cannot hear the words spoken. ● Use shorter, simpler sentences if necessary. ● Try not to get impatient, angry, or annoyed at the patient with hearing loss.
HYPERTENSION
● Eat a healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Limit fat intake. ● Cut back on salt and sodium intake. ● Avoid alcohol or limit intake to one drink per day. ● Follow healthcare professional’s recommendations for control of hypertension. ● Take hypertensive medications exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking them because you feel fine. Take them at the same time every day. ● If you have high blood pressure, test it between office visits. Most pharmacies have free blood pressure machines, and home blood pressure devices are reasonably priced and easy to use. Keep a record of results to share with your physician. People over age 60 should keep their blood pressure less than 150/90 mm Hg. For those with certain chronic health conditions or who have comorbidities such as diabetes and kidney disease, a blood pressure less than 150/85 mm Hg is ideal (James et al., 2014).
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is called the “silent killer” because the symptoms cannot be felt or seen. It is a major health problem that, left untreated, leads to cardiovascular accidents, heart disease, eye problems, peripheral vascular disease, and kidney failure. Controlling blood pressure is extremely important to healthy aging. Teach your older adult patients the following healthy behaviors to understand, prevent, or control high blood pressure: ● High blood pressure may not make a person feel sick, but it is serious. ● It may be possible to lower blood pressure with lifestyle changes. ● If you are taking medications and you have your blood pressure in control, and are asked if you have high blood pressure, respond with “yes, but it is under control.” ● Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is a significant risk factor for hypertension. ● Exercise every day. Try for at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week.
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