Unit 3 - Age Related Changes to the Ear

Question 1

Age-related changes affect all of the structures involved in the retinal-neural pathway. How about in the absence of disease?

Answer 1

• these changes are then gradual and do not have a major effect on everyday activities

Question 2

What are age related changes in the external auditory system? (5)

Answer 2

• auricle loses flexibility
• auditory canal narrows
• cerumen glands atrophy
• impede the natural expelling of the cerumen
• tendency to have longer and thicker hair at the periphery of the auricle (in men primarily)

Question 3

What are age-related changes to the middle ear? (2)

Answer 3

• tympanic membrane thinner and softer ear drum
• middle ear muscles and ligaments become weaker and stiffer

Question 4

What happens when the middle ear muscles and ligaments become weaker and stiffer? (2)

Answer 4

-reduces the effect of the acoustic reflex
- an involuntary reflex in response to loud sounds and the sounds from one’s own voice

Question 5

ear diagram

Answer 5

Question 6

What are age related changes associated with the inner ear? (6)

Answer 6

• Cochlea
• reduction of blood supply
• fibrous changes in the small blood vessels that supply the cochlea
• loss of hair cells
• loss of neurons in the cochlear nuclei
• prysbycusis

Question 7

What is prysbycusis?

Answer 7

sensorineural hearing loss

Question 8

What are age related changes associated with the auditory nervous system (cranial nerve VIII)? (3)

Answer 8

• vestibulocochlear nerve fibers enter the brain
• age related changes in the external, middle, and inner ear influence the sounds being sent to the brain
• Age -RC in auditory structures also account for the hearing loss experienced by the older adult

Question 9

How do you recognize and detect hearing loss through interview? (5)

Answer 9

1. Is hearing loss acknowledged?
2. Having difficulty hearing over the phone
3. Often ask people to repeat
4. Turning up the volume of TV
5. Most difficulty with women and children

Question 10

How do you recognize and detect hearing loss through observation? (4)

Answer 10

behavioural related cues (interdisciplinary)
- unusual physical proximity
- no response or inappropriate response

Behavioural Cues
- not participating (even apathy)
- use formal questions and standardized tests

Question 11

What are the 2 types of hearing problems in the older adult?

Answer 11

• sensorineural loss (most common in older adults)
• Conductive hearing loss

Question 12

Where in the ear and why does sensorineural loss occur? (3)

Answer 12

• age related changes
• in the inner ear (presbycusis)
• usually both ears

Question 13

What is the cause of conductive hearing loss? (2)

Answer 13

• disruption in the external or middle ear that interferes with the transmission of sound (cerumen impaction)
• otosclerosis

Question 14

What is otosclerosis?

Answer 14

• calcification of the middle ear bones