Hearing loss in the elderly

2. Telephone amplifiers and other assistive devices
   • Hearing aids with a telecoil can be set on "T" to receive (through magnetic induction) the signal from the magnetic coil inside the telephone. While the telecoil is activated, the microphone is usually inactivated; therefore, the background sounds from the room in which the person is speaking is not amplified.
   • Some behind-the-ear hearing aids have direct audio input, allowing the hearing aid to be directly coupled to the telephone (or television, radio, or other media source) with special audio boots and cords.
   • Closed caption provides a written transcription of dialogue and sound effects for many television shows.
   • Infrared systems have a transmitter that sends signals from the sound source (eg, television, radio) to an infrared receiver in a headset worn by people with a hearing loss, who can adjust the loudness of the headset to their comfort level. Infrared receivers are portable and can be used in any public arena that has an infrared transmitter. However, infrared systems are ineffective in direct sunlight (some outdoor arenas), and they do not work if light transmission to the receiver is physically blocked.
   • FM systems have a microphone at the sound source that sends signals to a transmitter, which broadcasts the signal via FM radio waves to a receiver worn by people with a hearing loss. FM systems are portable, can be used indoors and outdoors, and can be used by people with a wide range of hearing losses. FM systems with attenuated headsets are being increasingly used by people with normal hearing and central auditory processing disorders.
   • Alerting systems may be used to replace sounds in the home and community (eg, telephone, doorbell, door knock, alarm clock, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, home security systems, sirens). Most devices use a visual signal (eg, light) to represent the sound. For example, a device hooked up to the doorbell can set off a flashing light in the kitchen.
   • Ordinary means of communication such as mobile phones, portable pagers and e-mail enable people with a hearing loss to easily, accurately, and instantly communicate with others.
3. Speech reading (such as lip reading and using visual cues to aid communication)
   • Other people can help the person with presbycusis a lot by simply speaking clearly: the speaker should pronounce each syllable carefully and clearly but without undue exaggeration.
4. Sign language (for those with severe hearing loss)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Age-related hearing loss is progressive, which means it slowly gets worse. The hearing loss is permanent.

Possible Complications

Hearing loss can result in both physical (not hearing a fire alarm) and psychological (social isolation) problems. In the long term, the hearing loss may lead to deafness (profound hearing loss).