Double risk from noise: deafness and loneliness
BY JOAQUIN ORAMAS

RECENTLY we examined the effects of excessive noise, an increasing phenomenon of modern life, and one that is especially harmful for the elderly.

Several factors militate against longevity, natural phenomena such as climatic change and human factors such as loud horns, a radio or television playing at high volume, the intense noise of machines in a factory or airplane engines, to mention just a few of the daily noises that are troubling and may cause health problems, namely those connected with hearing.

Acoustic traumas or deafness caused by excessive noise is an increasingly common affliction, mainly in industrialized countries, but it is already a concern of the Third World.

Intense noises of over 90 decibels are capable of damaging cells of the organ in charge of perceiving and decoding sounds, located in the internal ear. This organ’s key role is to transform sound waves into bioelectric energy, which reaches the brain through the auditory nerve.

Noises likely to cause this type of deafness can be divided into two groups: continuous, such as those produced by engines, and discontinuous, generated by an explosion such as gunfire.

Not all individuals exposed to continuous noise in the same room suffer from acoustic trauma, whose development depends on the intensity of sound, length of exposure and sensibility of the hearing system. It also depends on the tone of the noise, high-pitched noise being much more harmful than low-pitched noise.

Noise is a type of pollution, and it seriously affects auditory capabilities and provokes other bodily disorders. The harmful effects of noise range from cardiovascular and sleep disorders to decreased sexual desire. Although several people reach an advanced age with acceptable hearing capabilities; in general, people lose their hearing as time goes by. Some elderly people suffer from an acute hearing impairment called presbyacoustics that can be caused by diverse physiological problems.

In some hereditarily predisposed individuals, hearing loss can begin at age 40. In general, hearing loss advances slowly but steadily until it clearly becomes an issue at age 60. Hearing impairment usually interferes with socialization and communication among people of advanced age.

Sometimes, this problem is connected with habits such as excessive smoking or drinking, but cholesterol, excessive noise, a poor diet and inevitably hereditary factors may also be the cause of this affliction. Hearing loss is not a sudden phenomenon, its effects are perceived gradually.

As soon as symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist in order to obtain a diagnosis. Most of the times, these problems are easy to correct provided that they are diagnosed on time, and that the needed hearing aids are prescribed. Among the many losses people face as age advances, presbyacoustics is a disorder presenting a double risk. Elderly persons suffering from it not only have hearing problems but communication is very difficult for them, putting them at risk of losing touch with the people around them.

Almost without realizing, this affliction can lead to one of the most characteristic and serious concerns of old age: loneliness. This problem has increasingly spread because of the devaluation of the elderly in certain societies, and it leads to depression and illness or even to death.

It is very important to insist on medical care for this disorder because recovering one’s hearing means regaining quality of life.