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Speech and hearing problems in the geriatric patient
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|September 1, 1977
Summary
As people age, hearing loss and voice changes are common, impacting verbal communication. Rehabilitation, substitution, and amplification therapies can help maintain communication for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Communication Sciences
- Audiology
Background:
- Verbal communication often declines in elderly individuals, irrespective of overall health.
- Hearing loss affects 30-50% of individuals over 65, with voice changes common after 60.
- These communication alterations intensify after age 70.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the common communication challenges faced by the geriatric population.
- To describe the underlying causes of age-related communication impairments.
- To present therapeutic strategies for preserving and improving communication in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of age-related changes in auditory and vocal systems.
- Identification of degenerative processes contributing to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss).
- Analysis of therapeutic interventions including rehabilitation, substitution, and amplification.
Main Results:
- Presbycusis results from degenerative changes in the auditory system.
- Aging affects voice pitch, intensity, and quality.
- Therapeutic approaches can significantly aid geriatric communication.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of age-related hearing and voice impairments is crucial for geriatric well-being.
- Rehabilitation programs, including speech and hearing therapy, are vital.
- Communication specialists can enhance social satisfaction for elderly patients.