Communication Disorders in Older Americans

Prevalence of Hearing Loss Increases with Age

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States, affecting more than nine million Americans over the age of 65. About one-third of Americans between ages 65 and 74 and one-half of those ages 85 and older has hearing problems. They may mistake words in a conversation, miss musical notes at a concert, or leave a ringing doorbell unanswered. But about three out of five older Americans with hearing loss have difficulty with day to day communication with family and friends.

People lose their hearing when they age because of age-related changes in the entire auditory system from the outer ear, through the inner ear and sometimes within the brain itself. Hearing loss due to aging is called presbycusis, and the typical complaint of older adults with this is that they can hear people talking, but they cannot make out the words. Presbycusis is permanent, typically affects both ears equally, is greater for high-pitched sounds, is more common and severe for men, and gradually worsens with age.

Other factors that may increase the likelihood of hearing loss in individuals as they age include a lifetime of exposure to noise, a family history of hearing loss, and medications that are toxic to the ear (ototoxic). If left untreated, persons with hearing loss are more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to those who wear hearing aids. Untreated hearing loss may have serious emotional and social consequences for older adults by isolating the older person from family members and friends, limiting social activities, and reducing their sense of well-being.

Working together with a qualified audiologist, the older adult can evaluate the benefits of hearing aid use and learn to overcome some of the adverse effects that hearing loss can have on the quality of life.

For more information on hearing loss, hearing aids or referral to an ASHA-certified audiologist, consumers may call 1-800-638-8255 (Spanish-speaking operators available) or go to www.asha.org.

SLPs' Role in Treating Alzheimer's Disease

Speech-language pathologists are an integral part of the treatment process for persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is the most common cause of dementia, a syndrome of gradually worsening cognitive impairments that interfere with social, occupational, and daily living activities. Approximately 3-5 million persons are thought to have AD currently and it is estimated that over the next 20 years, that number will jump to 14 million, with 10% of persons over 65 and nearly 50% of persons over 85 being affected. At this time there are no known treatments for stopping or reversing the effects of the disease, but several medications are thought to slow down the progression of symptoms.

Behavioral interventions, such as the use of written cues, environmental modifications, and memory and cognitive training, improve some of the more challenging problem behaviors of the person with AD.

Speech-language pathologists have developed multiple strategies to train family members and caregivers to communicate effectively with persons with dementia and compensate for some of the challenges of memory impairment. Some useful techniques for caregivers to have a satisfying conversation include: facing the person and maintaining eye contact, repeating key words on the topic, continuing the topic with added information, encouraging interaction by exchanging ideas, needs, and feelings, and using sentences that are simple and short.

For more information on treating and coping with Alzheimer's disease, or for a referral to an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist, consumers may call 1-800-638-8255 (Spanish-speaking operators available) or go to www.asha.org.

Media inquiries:

B-roll on noise and hearing loss and communication disorders and aging is available for broadcast stories. Members of the media may contact ASHA's media relations office for more information or help with stories.

Facts:

Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders. Their work encompasses speech problems, such as those related to fluency, articulation, and voice disorders, as well as issues regarding language, learning and literacy.

Audiologists are hearing health care professionals who specialize in preventing, identifying and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids and other assistive listening devices.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for more than 120,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists.