Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Seniors: Causes and Treatment Options

Written By: Discovery Senior Living
Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Seniors: Causes and Treatment Options

According to an article by Johns Hopkins University, hearing loss that causes an impairment affects over a third of adults 65 or older. Unfortunately, it's not just an inconvenience; it may also put seniors at risk of problems like depression and cognitive decline.

For those reasons, older adults should learn more about sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), a type of hearing impairment resulting from inner ear damage.

In this guide, we at Chandler Place Assisted Living, our senior living community in Kendallville, IN, will share insights into SNHL. Read on to discover its causes, treatment options, and ways to minimize risks.

What Can Cause Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage or diseases of the:

  • Cochlea: An inner ear organ with hair cells that turn sound waves into electrical signals
  • Auditory nerve: The nerve in which electrical signals from the cochlea travel to the brain
  • Central nervous system (CNS): The body's primary processing center, which includes the brain and the spinal cord

According to an excerpt from a study published in PubMed Central, SNHL accounts for most cases of hearing loss. Here's an outline of how it occurs due to injury or illness.

Excessive Noise Exposure

The louder the sound and the longer the exposure to it, the more likely it can injure or destroy the cochlea hair cells.

Sound loudness, measured in decibels (dB), influences the onset and severity of sensorineural hearing loss. For example, it can cause age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), in which impairment develops due to cumulative noise exposure. It can also lead to sudden hearing loss if it's so loud that it instantly damages the cochlea hair cells.

HealthyHearing.com says regular and continued exposure to sound rated 85 dB or higher (like motorcycle noise and rock concerts) can cause hearing loss over time. Conversely, any noise rated at 120 dB or higher (such as fireworks and firearms) can cause immediate hearing loss, even from a single close-range exposure.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation and damages the CNS.

The immune system of people with MS injures or destroys myelin (a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers), including those in the CNS and the ears' auditory and vestibular nerves. If MS damages the myelin in the ears, it can result in sensorineural hearing loss.

Head Trauma

Head trauma, which can happen due to a fall, can be severe enough to damage the auditory nerve and cochlea hair cells. Falls are common among adults 65+, with one in four reporting falling yearly, according to the U.S. CDC. They're the leading cause of injuries among the older population, and since they can damage the components of the auditory system, they can cause SNHL.

Ototoxic Medications

Ototoxic means toxic to the auditory system (oto = ear, toxic = poisonous or harmful). Many medications can cause ototoxicity, causing problems like:

  • Sensorineural hearing loss
  • Tinnitus, characterized by "phantom" ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing in the ears
  • Balance problems

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, there are over 200 ototoxic medications. They include prescription medicines for infections and heart disease and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

How Is SNHL Treated?

Treatment may include medications if sensorineural hearing loss is due to MS. Corticosteroids are often the go-to in such cases, as they can help ease inflammation and potentially reverse or reduce hearing damage.

If SNHL results from ototoxic drugs, immediately stopping their use may help prevent further damage.

For seniors with existing permanent SNHL, hearing aids are typically the first line of treatment. They are wearable devices that work like miniature speakers. They pick up sounds and then clarify and amplify them to help their users hear better.

Cochlear implants may help older adults who don't respond well to hearing aids or have more severe SNHL and speech impediments. They have two main components: an external speech processor with a microphone (placed behind the ear) and an internal processor surgically implanted beneath the skin. The internal piece creates new pathways for sounds to reach the brain.

How Can Seniors Minimize Their Risks for SNHL?

It's not always possible to prevent sensorineural hearing loss (for instance, if it's due to MS). However, the following tips can help seniors minimize their risk of acquiring SNHL.

Turn the Volume Down

Remember: The louder the sound and the longer the exposure, the more likely hearing loss will occur and the more severe it can be. For this reason, one of the most crucial steps to minimizing hearing loss risk is turning down the volume of these devices to 50% or lower:

  • Television
  • Radio
  • Audio players

Limit Exposure

Moving away from noisy areas can also limit older adults' exposure to damaging sounds. For older adults who can't avoid these environments, using ear plugs and ear muffs can help dampen the intensity of the noise.

Get Tested

Another crucial strategy is to get regular senior auditory care services, including hearing tests. Such tests allow seniors to monitor their ear health and catch and address potential problems early.

Stay Fit and on Your Feet

Minimizing older adults' risk for falls is one of the top benefits of regular participation in physical fitness programs. By reducing their risk of falling, they can also minimize their odds of suffering from a head trauma that can cause SNHL.

Likewise, seniors should mind their changing nutritional needs as they age. An unhealthy diet without the proper nutrients can lead to malnutrition, increasing fall risk. To combat this, older adults should build healthier meals packed with:

  • Fresh fruits and veggies
  • Whole grains
  • Lean meat
  • Nuts

Don't Let SNHL Impact Your Quality of Life

While sensorineural hearing loss isn't life-threatening, it can still profoundly and adversely impact seniors' quality of life. Impaired hearing, depression, and cognitive decline are just some of the effects of untreated SNHL. For this reason, older adults should minimize their risks and get their hearing checked to address potential issues immediately.

If you or an older loved one has SNHL and need help with one or more activities of daily living, Chandler Place Assisted Living can help. Our senior living community in Kendallville, IN, provides highly tailored and compassionate personal care services. We also have many amenities, including chef-prepared meals and physical and social events.

Get in touch today to learn more and schedule a tour of our beautiful, pet-friendly community!

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