{"id":1483,"date":"2020-10-01T08:39:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T15:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/?p=1483"},"modified":"2020-10-02T11:22:11","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T18:22:11","slug":"how-hearing-loss-affects-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/how-hearing-loss-affects-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"October is Audiology Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"
Hearing loss can be a confusing experience that leaves you feeling discouraged, frustrated and isolated. October is Audiology Awareness Month, which means now is a great time to learn about life changes that can help make for a better tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Audiologists, including the experts at Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center<\/span>, can help identify hearing problems and recommend a treatment solution for you or your family member. It\u2019s important to remember that seniors are most at risk for changes in hearing, so let\u2019s look at some of the ways that older people might be affected. Hearing loss affects people of all ages, but seniors are most likely to encounter challenges. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that 25\u00a0<\/a>percent of those age 65 to 74 have some form of significant hearing loss<\/a>. That number grows to 50 percent past age 75.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, one out of three people over the age of 70 who need a hearing device use one, meaning that a third of people experience the harmful effects of hearing loss because they don\u2019t get the help that they need. Research shows that hearing loss can also lead to depression, according to the American Academy of Audiology.<\/p>\n Seniors who experience hearing loss may deal with the following:<\/p>\n Other signs of depression from hearing loss include avoiding simple duties, withdrawing from all social situations and feelings of loneliness among family and close friends. On average, someone with hearing loss may not seek care until seven years after noticing a problem.<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nSeniors Remain a More Vulnerable Population<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nUnderlying Problems With Depression<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Increased Risk of Falling<\/span><\/h2>\n