What did you say? I can't hear you. Hearing loss, if left untreated, significantly increases the risk of dementia.

38% of elderly patients aged 65 and older in the country suffer from presbycusis.
It is good to have a hearing test once a year after middle age.

 

Hearing loss, often thought of as 'going deaf,' not only lowers quality of life but can also lead to dementia, requiring careful attention. Countries experiencing rapid aging are viewing hearing loss as a serious issue.

According to the Korean Otolaryngological Society, the prevalence of hearing loss among the population aged 65 and older is about 38%, making it common among the elderly. It is roughly 2 out of 5 elderly individuals. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) projects that by 2050, 2.5 billion people worldwide (25% of the population) will have hearing loss.

Regarding this, Professor Jang Ji-won of the ENT Department at Korea University Anam Hospital emphasized, "Hearing loss is often dismissed as a natural part of aging and left untreated, but presbycusis is also associated with social isolation, loneliness, cognitive decline, and dementia, which significantly impact quality of life."

Age-related hearing loss refers to the decline in hearing ability caused by the degeneration of the auditory system due to aging. It occurs because numerous auditory cells in the inner ear and auditory nerve system degenerate with age, leading to improper transmission of signals to the brain.

 

Hearing loss typically occurs similarly in both ears, usually affecting high-pitched sounds more than low-pitched sounds, which are relatively better heard. Speech can be heard, but the content of the words is difficult to understand. It usually develops at a somewhat younger age in men than in women, and there is a tendency for more severe hearing loss in the high-frequency range.

The main cause is age. As people get older, the cells in the inner ear (cochlea) become damaged or disappear, and the function of the auditory nerve weakens. It can occur earlier in people exposed to noise for long periods. Genetic factors cannot be ignored either. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension may also be related.

It is common to ask for clarification during a conversation because you cannot clearly hear the other person's words. High-pitched sounds are difficult to hear well, making it hard to distinguish consonants clearly. As a result, misunderstandings or misinterpretations can occur during conversations, leading to difficulties in communication.

 

High-pitched sounds are not heard well, but low-pitched sounds are heard clearly, so car and truck noises can still be heard well. Sometimes there are no apparent physical or health issues. Therefore, many people do not perceive it as being as dangerous as other illnesses.

Professor Jang Ji-won said, "Initially, the symptoms are mild, and people tend to overlook them, thinking it's just a slight hearing loss, but if left untreated, it can worsen significantly." She added, "As hearing loss becomes more severe, communication difficulties increase, leading to social isolation and greater communication disabilities."

 

There is research indicating that patients with moderate hearing loss have a threefold increase in the risk of developing dementia, while those with severe hearing loss have up to a fivefold increase. This means that when the brain does not receive sufficient sound stimulation due to hearing loss, cognitive functions decline, increasing the likelihood of progressing to dementia.

 

It is important for children or those around them to pay close attention to changes in parents' behavior and to recommend early hearing tests. Age-related hearing loss is an incurable condition, but symptoms can be improved through various methods. The most effective method is wearing hearing aids.

However, only about half of the hearing-impaired population in the country use hearing aids. The reasons for reluctance to use hearing aids vary. Among them are cases where people have used hearing aids released in the past and have developed negative perceptions of them.

Professor Seon Woo-woong of Gachon University Gil Medical Center's Otolaryngology Department said, "In the past, hearing aids amplified all sounds, which caused discomfort such as hearing loud sounds too intensely," and added, "Now, with technological advancements, it is possible to hear surrounding sounds as naturally as possible without discomfort."

 

Wearing hearing aids before hearing loss worsens can prevent deterioration of speech discrimination, facilitate quicker adaptation to the hearing aids, and further reduce the risk of developing dementia. Hearing aids are recommended for moderate hearing loss, where normal conversation sounds are difficult to hear. In cases of severe hearing loss, cochlear implant surgery may be considered.

Professor Sunwoo advised, "If you are middle-aged or older, it is good to have a hearing test about once a year to check for hearing loss," and added, "Furthermore, if there is any hearing impairment or abnormality, it is essential to seek early treatment and management, as this can be a way to live a healthy old age."

 

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If you think you have hearing loss, it is better to use hearing aids quickly.

 

If you suspect hearing problems, it's better to get diagnosed quickly and wear hearing aids, as it is beneficial in many ways.