Sensory abilities naturally decline with age. In a large Canadian-based study, it was estimated that by 75 years of age, almost 50% of older adults have mild hearing or vision loss. By the age of 85 years old, about 40% have both mild hearing and vision loss. Males are more likely than females to have hearing and dual sensory loss (1). Since hearing loss often occurs gradually over time, many people don't realize they have it (2). Sensory loss affects communication, cognition, and social relationships and is even associated with an increased risk of falls (3-7). Some signs of hearing problems include needing to ask for repetition and difficulty communicating in noisy environments (8). Some signs of vision problems may be blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, sensitivity to light, double vision, loss of colour perception, seeing floaters or flashing lights, or severe eye pain (9). There are a number of effective strategies you can take to protect, check, and improve hearing and vision.
What the research tells us
Protect your senses: To prevent vision loss, wear sunglasses in bright sun (10;11). When in noisy environments, wear earplugs. Exposure to loud sounds can cause preventable noise-induced hearing loss (12-14). You could be at risk of noise-induced hearing loss if you spend considerable time in noisy environments, use loud machinery, use firearms, or listen to amplified music. Strategies to reduce the risk include turning down the volume, limiting your time in noisy environments, and using properly fitted hearing protection (14). Decibel X is a free phone app to measure noise levels (15;16). Decibel levels of 85 dB HL have the potential to be damaging to your ears (14).
Test your senses: Check your hearing and vision using your smartphone to recognize if there are sensory problems (17;18). You can also check your hearing using the free Hearing Numbers app (iOS or Android), which will help you track changes in your hearing (19). The World Health Organization recommends vision screening every 1-2 years for adults over 50 years old, as well as hearing screening every 5 years for adults aged 50–64 years old and every 1–3 years for adults 65 years or older (11;20). Most age-related changes to your hearing and vision can be corrected or treated if identified early (11;20;21). Use these links to find your closest hearing or vision healthcare provider (22;23).
Seek help if you have sensory problems: Seek help and information about how to live with sensory impairments as soon as you notice sensory problems. Additional vision rehabilitation options are available through Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (24). Many of these services are designed to consider the possibility of having more than one age-related impairment (i.e., vision and hearing loss). Adaptations and accessibility solutions are just around the corner.
Embrace technology and adopt new strategies: Depending on an individual’s situation, they may be helped by using technologies (e.g., hearing aids or glasses) and modifying communication strategies and environments (e.g., turning down noise, using closed captioning, or increasing lighting) (11;14). Hearing and vision healthcare professionals can help you decide if you are ready for hearing aids or glasses. Use your technology on a regular daily basis and encourage friends and family to use their devices as well.
- Hearing aids: The research tells us that hearing aids and other technologies can improve quality of life (25;26). Hearing aids can make communication easier, improve our psychosocial well-being, and provide tinnitus relief (27-29). The better the quality of input, the better one can understand and remember. Other technology aids that can improve hearing include remote microphone systems and personal amplifier systems (14).
- Use good communication strategies: Whether you or a loved one is using hearing technology or not, good communication strategies are a must. Communication strategies are easy to use and cost no money (30). Some examples you can start using right away include:
- getting someone’s attention before speaking;
- facing the person you are speaking to and ensuring they can see you;
- reducing background noise when possible or moving to a quieter location;
- rephrasing rather than repeating when something is not understood;
- taking turns speaking when in groups; and
- having a positive attitude!
