People with hearing difficulty can get so frustrated that they stop trying to communicate and become withdrawn. Presbycusis is a gradual decline in sound reception that occurs as you get older. Sounds, particularly higher tones, are muffled. Words, especially against background noise, are difficult to understand. People with presbycusis should ask others to speak slowly and clearly.
Hearing aids can be very helpful.
Conduction deafness Conduction deafness is when sound waves are blocked as they pass through the ear. People with conduction deafness hear sounds from outside as muffled, but their own voice may seem louder than normal. Because of this, they often speak softly. The most common cause of conductive deafness is ear wax. Removal of the wax, after first softening it, will make a lot of difference.