[Rehabilitation possibilities in presbycusis]

Although several types of hearing loss in aged people can be distinguished, the word presbyacusis has grown to common use. It is not primarily the decrease of sensitivity for sounds, but rather the decrease of the ability for discrimination and the increase of being troubled by noisy circumstances, that impair understanding of speech. Conversation with aged people have to be practised slowly and in a well pronounced way in favourite circumstances for listening. The hearing impairment in aged people can grow to a problem, especially by the social circumstances, so rehabilitation may not be restricted to the aged themselves. A good insight in the remaining abilities of the hearing is the base for the prescription and the acceptance of a hearing aid. In this the fitting of the earmold and the adjustment of the output level-limiter are the most important factors. The participation in the verbal communication can become more easy and relaxed by a clever usage of the aid's abilities, but the partners in the conversation have to understand the difficulties and to be cooperative.