People with hearing loss often suffer from social isolation. Hearing loss can aggravate some forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. Hearing loss is diagnosed with a hearing test, or audiogram. This test can determine how much of the hearing loss is a result of nerve injury and how much is a result of changes in the parts of the ear that transmit sound to the inner ear, such as the eardrum and ossicles, a small bone in the inner ear. Unfortunately, there are no medical treatments for age-related hearing loss.
Hearing aids are the mainstay of treatment.
And regular audiograms may be needed if the hearing loss progresses. This test tells the doctor how much hearing loss has occurred. It also helps determine if and what type of hearing aid may be most helpful.