{"id":386599,"date":"2024-10-12T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medizinonline.com\/recognizing-and-treating-age-related-hearing-loss\/"},"modified":"2024-10-11T22:50:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T20:50:03","slug":"recognizing-and-treating-age-related-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medizinonline.com\/en\/recognizing-and-treating-age-related-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Recognizing and treating age-related hearing loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hearing loss in the high frequency range occurs with increasing age. Due to its gradual progression, hearing loss often goes unnoticed for a long time. There is evidence that untreated hearing loss can have far-reaching social, emotional and health consequences for those affected. Early detection is possible using simple diagnostic test procedures. These include questionnaires – according to a recent study, the HHIE and the SSQ-12, for example, are suitable test instruments. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

From the age of 50, the probability of developing hearing loss increases as a function of age [1]. The ICD diagnosis “presbycusis” or age-related hearing loss (ICD-10 code: H91. 1) refers to a slowly progressive, chronic, mostly symmetrical hearing impairment with an emphasis on high frequencies (Fig. 1)<\/strong> [1\u20133].
Initially, so-called discrimination disorders occur as an early symptom; this leads to an impairment of the overtone spectra of sounds in conversations [4]. At a hearing threshold of \u226420 dB in the better-hearing ear, one speaks of regular hearing, at 95 dB or higher of complete hearing loss [5]. The intermediate levels of hearing loss (mild, moderate, profound hearing loss) are not categorized uniformly internationally. In addition to the severity of hearing loss, a distinction is also made between unilateral and bilateral hearing loss. According to a study commissioned by the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan) and published in 2022, hearing impairment is particularly widespread in old age: Around one sixth of 65\u201374-year-olds and around one third of 75-year-olds living in Switzerland have a hearing impairment [5]. <\/wpcodeself><\/p>\n\n\n

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The causes of age-related hearing loss are varied and complex; it is generally assumed that there is an interplay between physiological aging processes, genetic factors, environmental influences (noise, ototoxic substances) and other characteristics of health status and health behavior [5]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention and screening in the context of primary care <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Presbycusis is thought to be a neurosensory disorder that originates from functional changes in the hair cells in the cochlea, neuronal loss in the spiral ganglia and associated nerve fibers as well as metabolic-atrophic changes in the striatum.\nToday, the smallest and in some cases technologically advanced hearing aids are available as therapeutic approaches.\nIn its resolution of May 30, 2017, the World Health Assembly, a body of the WHO, called on governments to introduce strategies for otological and audiological care within primary healthcare systems and to implement prevention and screening programs for the most vulnerable population groups [6]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to epidemiological data, around 30% of men and 20% of women in Europe up to the age of 70 are affected by a hearing loss of \u226530 dB; among 80-year-olds, the corresponding prevalence is estimated at 55% of men and 45% of women [7,8].\nIn a publication published in 2024, Ferr\u00e1n et al.\npoint out that some older people affected by age-related hearing loss<\/em> (ARHL )<\/em> have a tendency to passively endure this condition [9].\nHowever, delaying treatment can be detrimental to health.\nOn the one hand, communication problems and misunderstandings can lead to loneliness and loss of independence.\nSecondly, ARHL is associated with an increased risk of balance problems, falls, social isolation, depression and cognitive impairment, which can severely affect the quality of life of older people [10,11]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some studies, including systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, have shown that hearing aids are a cost-effective intervention that has a positive impact on the quality of life of their users, leading to significant improvements in various aspects of daily living, functional well-being and emotional health [15\u201321]. <\/td><\/tr>
– It has been shown that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of social dependency and has a positive effect on depressive disorders [22\u201324]. In addition, more and more studies are showing that cognitive impairment can be reduced through the use of hearing aids [25]. <\/td><\/tr>
– There is also empirical evidence that cochlear implants that restore hearing improve quality of life; reduce the prevalence of tinnitus and symptoms associated with depression and improve overall cognitive performance [26\u201328]. In addition, the cost-benefit analysis of cochlear implantation has been supported by a number of systematic reviews and other research [29,30]. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Observational study provides interesting findings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For their study, Ferr\u00e1n et al.\nat the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Cl\u00ednica Universidad de Navarra (Spain) and through an advertisement in a local newspaper until August 2023 recruited a total of 710 patients who were assigned to three groups [9]: <\/p>\n\n\n\n