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Our focus problem is hearing loss which is the inability or lack of ability for an individual to hear properly when compared to someone who has normal functioning hearing.

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Who is most likely to suffer from hearing loss?(Ethnicity)

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Who is most likely to suffer from hearing loss?(Ethnicity)

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The article above states that "Non-Hispanic White adults are more likely than adults in other racial/ethnic groups to have hearing loss"

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Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, & Dizziness

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Statistics on hearing, ear infections, and deafness among both adults and children in the U.S.

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Who is most likely to suffer from hearing loss? (Age)

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Who is most likely to suffer from hearing loss? (Age)

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While being the most common predicator of hearing loss among adults, age plays an important role. The older a person is, the more likely they are to suffer from hearing loss. People in the age range of 60-69 are at the highest risk for hearing loss.

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Who is most likely to suffer from hearing loss? (Gender)

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Who is most likely to suffer from hearing loss? (Gender)

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Men are twice as likely to experience hearing loss when compared to women

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What are the primary causes of hearing loss?

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What are the primary causes of hearing loss?

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Some of the primary causes of hearing loss can you age, genetics, injury, and medication but there are many more causes.

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The primary anatomical structures involved in hearing loss are bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes.

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These bones help sound travel to the cochlea and when hair damage occurs in the cochlea this leads to hearing loss.

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The physiological process of the cochlear anatomy is major in understanding the causes of hearing loss. According to the National Library of Medicine "The cochlea is a fluid-filled, spiral-shaped cavity found in the inner ear that plays a vital role in the sense of hearing and participates in the process of auditory transduction. Sound waves are transduced into electrical impulses that the brain can interpret as individual sound frequencies."

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When wear and tear occurs on the hair or nerve cells in the cochlea then signals can no longer be sent to the brain which leads to hearing loss.

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One symptom of age related hearing loss is often asking people to repeat what they are saying. This goes hand in hand with hearing loss.

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Another symptom of age related hearing loss is thinking that people are mumbling when speaking to you, the sound of their voices is very muffled.

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Another symptom of hearing loss is needing the TV or music to be turned up a lot louder than the average person. Someone with normal hearing might think it is loud, but to someone with hearing loss it's perfect.

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Another symptom of age related hearing loss is having trouble following a conversation if more than one person is talking, or if there is any background noise.

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Diagnostic Tools for Age Related Hearing Loss

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Diagnostic Tools for Age Related Hearing Loss

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Audiometry exam tests are a diagnostic tool for age related hearing loss. This test includes mechanical sound transmission, which tests the function of the middle ear , neural sound transmission, which tests the function of the cochlear function, and speech discrimination ability which tests the function of central integration.

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Diagnostic Tools for Age Related Hearing Loss

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Diagnostic Tools for Age Related Hearing Loss

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Another diagnostic tool for age related hearing loss is pure tone testing, also known as an audiogram. Pure tones are delivered through the use of headphones to one ear at a time. Patients are asked to respond if they hear a sound. The results are presented in the form of an audiogram (pictured above).

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Cochlear implants is another treatment for age related hearing loss. A cochlear implant isn't like a hearing aid that makes sound stronger and directs it into the ear canal. Instead, a cochlear implant goes around the parts of the inner ear that don't work to spur the hearing nerve.

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The most common treatment for age related hearing loss is hearing aids. If hearing loss is from damage to the inner ear, a hearing aid can be helpful. A hearing specialist, known as an audiologist, can talk about how hearing aids can help and what kinds there are. Audiologists also can fit you with a hearing aid.

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Depression is a consequence of age related hearing loss because hearing loss may limit your social engagement and lead to depression: You avoid simple duties. You find yourself avoiding social situations. You feel alone even with family and friends.

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Social Isolation is a consequence of age related hearing loss. While some shrinking of your social circle may occur naturally with age, it’s more pronounced for older people with hearing impairments, according to research. A lack of face-to-face contact can make both social isolation and loneliness worse for people with hearing loss.

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IQ declining is a consequence of age related hearing loss. Most people have a cognitive decline when faced with hearing loss. Research suggests hearing loss leads to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline, due to reduced social interaction and stimulation.

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There can be many safety risks in age-related hearing loss. Older people can have trouble understanding a doctor’s advice, responding to warnings, and hearing doorbells and alarms. Also, some older people may not want to admit they have trouble hearing and, if ignored, can worsen.

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A treatment for age related hearing loss is Auditory Rehabilitation Therapy. The coverage of Auditory Rehabilitation Therapy by insurance can vary widely depending on several factors, including the specific insurance plan, the provider, and the region. If chosen not to do therapy there might lead to cognitive decline, a link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. The brain may struggle to process sounds, leading to reduced cognitive function over time.

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Hearing aids are expensive and can range from $1,000-$6,000 and are not likely to be covered by insurance companies since they are considered optional but some health insurance plans or Medicare Advantage might offer partial or full coverage, but it’s important to check your policy specifics.

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Cochlear Implants are $30,000-$10,0000. As far as insurance, Medicare Part B generally covers cochlear implants for individuals who meet specific criteria. If chosen not to get cochlear implants there are cheaper options to be done to aid hearing loss.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to mental health problems

Helps individuals reframe negative thoughts and develop coping strategies for dealing with the challenges associated with hearing loss, such as social isolation, frustration, or anxiety.

Long term effects of this therapy is developing coping strategies for dealing with challenges like social isolation and frustration. This can help feelings of being more comfortable. Short term effects may just be feeling more comfortable in your body during therapy. Many people with hearing loss feel insecurities that this therapy can help prevent.

A licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or psychiatrist, is needed to provide cognitive behavioral therapy.

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Participating in support groups allows individuals with hearing loss to connect with others facing similar challenges. Counseling can help address emotional and psychological aspects, such as feelings of isolation or frustration. These groups provide a safe space to share experiences and learn coping strategies.

Long-term: Support groups help coping with change with hearing loss. Individuals may face ongoing adjustments. Support groups provide a platform for sharing experiences and strategies for adapting to changes over time.

Short-term: Support groups offer emotional support and coping strategies, helping individuals process their feelings.

Delivering support groups for individuals with hearing loss typically involves professionals with expertise in audiology, counseling, or social work.

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Speech therapy can help someone with hearing loss improve their communication skills through a variety of techniques such as auditory-verbal therapy, auditory-oral or auditory-based speech therapy, and total communication therapy. Speech Therapy was designed to treat people with hearing impairments and a speech language pathologist would be necessary to deliver the treatment

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A physical and/or occupational rehabilitation treatments that may be necessary for someone with the age-related hearing loss is Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation. Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation is specialized physical therapy can improve balance, coordination, and stability. Balance exercises, like standing on one leg, walking on uneven surfaces, and using balance boards, can retrain the brain and body to compensate for inner ear issues that may affect equilibrium. Vestibular therapists might also use gaze stabilization and other exercises to reduce dizziness and increase spatial awareness. It can treat short term affects just as reduced dizziness and vertigo, improved gait and stability, and decreased anxiety. A physical therapist is required to deliver the treatment.

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Using Hearing Aids

Hearing aids amplify sounds to make communication easier. Adopting them often requires an adjustment period to get used to the amplified sounds and manage the device. The difficulty level would be 6/10 (due to potential stigma, cost, and learning curve). An Audiologist or hearing specialist would be needed for fitting, training, and follow-up.

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Adapting Communication Strategies

This includes patients asking others to speak more clearly, reduce background noise, or use visual cues like lip-reading to aid understanding. The difficulty level is 4/10 (may require consistent reminders but is relatively easy to implement). A Speech-language pathologist or audiologist would be needed for communication techniques and strategies.

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Description: Regular hearing screening programs at primary care clinics aim to detect hearing loss early, ensuring timely intervention. These programs target individuals by identifying those at risk or already experiencing hearing impairment.
Challenges: Challenges include lack of awareness among older adults about the importance of screenings, limited access to audiologists, and the costs of screening programs.

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Description: Policy interventions that regulate noise levels in environments frequented by older adults, such as senior centers or healthcare facilities, help prevent further damage to hearing. These focus on environmental and policy-level changes.
Challenges: Resistance from businesses due to perceived costs of compliance, difficulty enforcing noise-level standards, and lack of public understanding of the impact of noise on hearing health.

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Description: Public health campaigns educate older adults and caregivers about the risks of untreated hearing loss, preventive measures, and the importance of seeking timely care. These interventions focus on individuals and the environment by increasing awareness and fostering supportive communities.
Challenges: Limited funding for large-scale campaigns, difficulty in reaching older adults in isolated or underserved communities, and overcoming cultural attitudes that normalize hearing loss as a part of aging.

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Description: Programs that provide affordable or free hearing aids and assistive listening devices address the financial barriers many older adults face. This intervention targets individuals by directly providing them with solutions to improve hearing.
Challenges: High cost of hearing aid production, stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, and administrative hurdles in distributing devices equitably.