Answered questions about Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

What are the early indications of age related hearing loss (presbycusis)?

In the initial stages, a person with hearing loss may have difficulty in understanding words. He/she is often able to hear the sounds but unable to make out the words. This may be more evident when the background noise is high (eg in a restaurant).
Such a person may also start speaking in a louder voice than normal, without being aware of it.
A ringing sensation in the ear (tinnitus) and inability to hear high pitched sounds can also indicate presbycusis.

When should I get my ears tested?

You should get your ears tested if:

• you often have to ask people to repeat themselves
• find yourself raising the volume of the television to higher than normal levels
• regularly miss parts of conversations
• experience a ringing sensation in the ear (tinnitus)
• people tell you that you are speaking loudly.

Can age-related hearing loss be reversed? Can it be treated?

Age related hearing loss cannot be reversed, as it is caused by degeneration of sensory cells, which occurs with age. However, it can be treated effectively by use of hearing aids and other communication devices.

What measures can help me to prevent or delay the onset of hearing loss in my old age?

Taking good care of your ears and following good ear and hearing practices such as:

• protecting your ears from loud sounds;
• never inserting anything into your ear or instill any liquids, other than medicines prescribed by a trained health care personnel;
• in case of pain in the ear or ear-discharge, seeking medical treatment urgently;
• eating healthy food and exercising well to avoid diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, that predispose to development of hearing loss; and
• avoiding cigarette smoking.

My parents have hearing loss. What care should I take when speaking with them?

When you speak to a person with hearing loss, make sure that:

• you face them while speaking
• your face is neither covered nor in the dark when you speak
• don't speak with your mouth full
• speak in a loud, clear voice, but don't shout
• try to minimize the background noise by turning off the television or radio.

Prevent hearing loss: What you have to know about Ear care.

Q. How can I keep my child's ears clean?

A. The ear is a self-cleaning organ and does not require any active cleaning. The ear only needs to be cleaned from outside. No object or fluid should be inserted or instilled into the ears, unless prescribed by a health professional.
Q. Why does my child get pain in the ear?

A. Pain in the ear can be caused by problems such as:

impacted cerumen (wax) in the ear;
acute infection in the ear canal;
acute infection of the ear drum; or
because of fluid in the middle ear.

In order to identify the problem, your child should be taken for an ear check-up. Ear pain should not be ignored as it can lead to serious problems.
Q. How can I prevent ear infections in my child?

A. Most ear infections can be prevented by taking good care of our ears. Some important things to remember are:

do not let dirty water enter the ear;
do not slap a child, especially over the ears, as it can damage the ear drum, thereby encouraging infections;
ensure early diagnosis of ear infections by staying vigilant for problems like pain in the ear, decreased hearing and wetness in the ear; and
educate children about not inserting anything into the ear such as pencils, erasers, hair-pins etc.

Q. Can I use traditional/herbal remedies in the ear?

A. No! These may irritate the ear canal and the ear drum and cause infection.
Q. When should I take my child to see the doctor regarding ear problems?

A. If your child complains of:

pain in the ear;
discharge from the ear;
hearing loss;
improper speech development;
if your child does not understand what you say properly.

Consult a doctor, as soon as possible.
Q. How long can someone be around a loud noise before it becomes hazardous?

A. The degree of hearing hazard is related to both: the level of the noise as well as the duration of the exposure. It is better to protect against loud noise as soon as one is exposed to it. Ear protectors, such as well-fitted ear plugs, should be worn before entering a noisy area.
Q. I enjoy listening to loud music through ear/headphones. Will it harm my hearing ability?

A. The risk of hearing loss increases as sound is played at high intensity (volume) and for long durations. It has been shown that listening through earphones at 95% of maximum sound volume for 5 minutes (with most devices) continuously will damage hearing. To protect hearing, volume should be minimized and breaks should be taken while listening through ear/headphones.