older people’s health issues
Changes in the Body With Aging
Ears
(See also Effects of Aging on the Ears, Nose, and Throat .) Most changes in hearing are probably due as much to a lifetime of noise exposure as to aging (see also Hearing Loss ). Exposure to loud noise over time damages the ear’s ability to hear. Nonetheless, some changes in hearing occur as people age, regardless of their exposure to loud noise. It is important to see a doctor to determine whether hearing loss is due to cerumen (ear wax) impaction because this is easily treated. As people age, hearing high-pitched sounds becomes more difficult. This change is considered age-associated hearing loss (presbycusis). For example, violin music may sound less bright. Articulating consonants clearly may be more helpful than speaking more loudly to older people who have trouble understanding speech. High-pitched sounds are particularly hard for older people to hear. The most frustrating consequence of presbycusis is that words become harder to understand. As a result, older people may think that other people are mumbling. Even when other people speak more loudly, older people still have difficulty understanding the words. The reason is that most consonants (such as k, t, s, p, and ch) are high-pitched, and consonants are the sounds that help people identify words. Because vowels are lower-pitched sounds, they are easier to hear. So older people may hear “Ell me exaly wha you wan oo ee,” rather than “Tell me exactly what you want to keep.” To help, other people need to articulate consonants more clearly, rather than simply speak louder. Understanding what women and children say may be more difficult than understanding what men say because most women and children have higher-pitched voices. Gradually, hearing lower pitches also becomes more difficult. Many older people have more trouble hearing in loud places or in groups because of the background noise. Thick hairs may grow out of the ears. 