Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Seniors: Causes and Treatment Options

The Hearing Health Foundation says that approximately 48 million people in the U.S. have hearing loss. It affects one in three older adults between 64 and 75 and nearly half of seniors 75 and older.

Many older adults with auditory impairments have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) caused by inner ear damage. Because the damage is permanent, inner ear hearing loss is generally not reversible. However, some of its causes are preventable, and treatment is available even when it’s not.

For those reasons, it pays for older adults to familiarize themselves with sensorineural hearing loss causes and treatment options. The team at SummerHouse Vista Shores, our assisted living community in New Orleans, LA, has shared insights into these topics (plus tips to minimize risks), so please read on.

Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

An article excerpt published in the National Library of Medicine says that sensorineural hearing loss accounts for most cases of hearing loss. It results from diseases or problems with the following:

• Cochlea
• Auditory nerve
• Central nervous system (CNS)

The cochlea, a tiny organ in the inner ear, has minute hair cells that detect sound and convert vibrations into electrical signals. They send these signals to the brain via the auditory nerve, also called the cochlear nerve, which then carries them to the brain, a part of the central nervous system. Finally, the brain processes the signals and interprets them as sounds.

So, if any of those critical players sustain damage or develop diseases, sound processing becomes impaired, leading to senior auditory issues.

Here are examples of specific sensorineural hearing impairment causes.

Exposure to Loud Noises

Exposure to loud noises (measured in decibels or dB) is a common cause of sensorineural age-related hearing decline (presbycusis). Presbycusis refers to the gradual loss of auditory functions due to cumulative noise exposure over a person’s lifetime.

According to HealthyHearing.com, hearing loss can occur when exposed to noises with a dB value of 85 or higher. Some examples are:

• Lawnmowers: 90 dB
• Audio headset players’ maximum volume: 105 dB
• Concerts and sirens: 120 dB
• Sporting events in stadiums: 105 to 130 dB
• Fireworks: 140 to 160 dB
• Firearms: At least 150 dB

While gradual noise-induced hearing loss can result from prolonged exposure to loud noises, some, like fireworks, can cause immediate SNHL with a single exposure. Their noise can be so intense and powerful that they destroy the cochlea hair cells. Unfortunately, the hair cells aren’t self-regenerating, so permanent hearing loss may occur when they sustain damage.

Head Injuries

A head injury can cause SNHL by damaging the cochlea hair cells and the auditory nerve pathways.

In seniors, falls are among the most common causes of head injuries. According to an article by News-Medical.net, about 14 million older adults report a fall yearly.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS. In people with MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective substance surrounding nerve fibers, called myelin. The ear has myelinated nerve fibers, including the auditory and vestibular nerves.

Since MS destroys myelin in the CNS, it can cause sensorineural hearing loss.

Congenital Disorders

Congenital disorders are present at birth. They can lead to sensorineural hearing loss, usually by causing abnormalities or defects in the cochlea. So examples are:

• Waardenburg syndrome
• Usher syndrome
• Pendred syndrome
• Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome
• Alport syndrome

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Treatments

Treatment plans may include medications for seniors whose sensorineural hearing loss arises from disease or inflammation. For example, if an inflammatory condition like MS causes SNHL, corticosteroids may help ease inflammation and symptoms.

Treatment for hearing loss, including SNHL and permanent conductive hearing loss, also often involves hearing aids. They’re small, external devices that act like tiny speakers, amplifying and clarifying sounds to help wearers hear better.

Cochlear implants, surgical devices that bypass the inner ear, may help older adults with severe or profound hearing loss that hearing aids can’t treat. They provide new pathways for sounds to reach the brain.

Tips to Reduce Risks of Preventable SNHL

Exposure to loud noises and head injuries are modifiable risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss. For this reason, everyone, especially older adults, should do their best to minimize their exposure or injury risk through the following strategies.

Avoiding Loud Sounds

Listening to music can help bust stress and enhance moods, making it one of the best activities for seniors to stay happy and engaged. However, too-loud sounds (such as if the audio player is at maximum volume) can harm hearing. Limiting volume settings to 60% or less can help minimize ear strain.

When enjoying live events where loud sounds are likely, older adults should consider wearing hearing protection such as earplugs and earmuffs. Such devices reduce the intensity of sounds and protect the ear’s sensitive structures.

Minimizing Fall Risks

Since falls can lead to SNHL-causing head injuries and other severe problems (e.g., broken bones and bruises), seniors should also prioritize fall reduction strategies, such as:

• Using non-slip mats in areas like the kitchen and bathrooms
• Keeping the home clutter-free to minimize risks of slips, trips, and falls
• Ensure good lighting, especially at night
• Engaging in balance and strength training exercises
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet to maintain or boost muscle strength and bone density

Older adults who struggle with activities of daily living (ADLs) should also consider transitioning to a welcoming and compassionate assisted living community. It gives them access to a team of personal care and support providers ready to help them anytime, such as showering or going to and from the toilet safely.

Live Life to the Fullest Even With SNHL

While sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent, it is treatable, manageable, and sometimes even preventable. For these reasons, older adults should minimize their risks by protecting their ears from loud noises and avoiding falls and head injuries. For those already experiencing SNHL, prompt treatment with medications or hearing aids should be a top priority.

At SummerHouse Vista Shores, our primary goal is to help residents achieve optimal senior well-being. We provide them a safe, peaceful environment and access to 24/7 personalized care and attentive support. We also have many on-site amenities, including our private courtyard, library, restaurant-style dining, and daily physical and social activities.

Call us today to learn more about how our assisted living community in New Orleans, LA, can help you or an older loved one enjoy your golden years, even with SNHL!