Hearing linked to stronger relationships

Managing hearing loss not only enables seniors to enjoy a healthier and happier life but research has emerged to suggest good hearing is linked to better relationships.

The 2009 survey of 300 Australian Hearing seniors’ customers found that good hearing was linked to better relationships, with one in four people stating using a hearing aid improved their social life.

The survey also highlighted the positive benefits of using a hearing aid for maintaining social and romantic life. Three quarters of the survey’s participants reported it was also easier to have intimate conversations.

According to principal audiologist, Janette Thorburn, hearing can affect good communication in a number of ways.

“If someone is having trouble with their hearing it can impact on their ability to understand what is being said and to know when to respond. Feelings of isolation and frustration could also emerge” Ms Thorburn said.

She said the key to feeling like you are part of a relationship with family and friends all lies in good hearing.

“If someone is struggling with their hearing, they should consider doing something about it; and not just for themselves, but also for their family and friends,” Ms Thorburn said.

Experts suggest the best way to prevent hearing loss later in life is to adjust your lifestyle now.

Although there are many people that reach old age with acceptable hearing, the common thing is for this ability to decline through time. In some old people this decline, called presbycusis, is very strong and can originate in various physiological problems.

The name presbycusis is derived from the Greek word presbyte, which means old and acusia, which means hearing.

Hearing loss can start at 40 years of age in some people with hereditary preconditions. In general, it advances slowly but progressively, until clearly manifesting at the age of 60. Finally, in the elderly, it reaches an important level of hearing loss, capable of affecting communication and social skills.

Hearing loss often brings about a decrease of the audiometric curve, which is progressively produced, and initially starts to become evident with high tones and continues by affecting low tones.

Loss of hearing is said to be related to the life-long ingestion of tobacco or alcohol, but can also be caused by cholesterol, excess noise, unbalanced diets and, unavoidably, heredity factors.

It is vital that anyone aged 65 years and over have their hearing checked every two years.