Hearing loss in elderly often mistaken for memory loss

Frequent repetition of questions by elderly parents is often mistaken for memory loss or dementia, but it may actually be a sign of hearing impairment. When information is not heard clearly from the start, seniors struggle to recall it accurately, leading family members to believe they have forgotten the conversation.

Medical experts note that as people age, hair cells in the cochlea, auditory nerves, and brain processing areas decline. This can make it difficult to understand full sentences, especially in noisy environments. In one case in Dong Thap, a 65-year-old woman's hearing loss was attributed to a perforated eardrum rather than just age-related decline.

To better support elderly relatives, experts suggest ensuring they can hear clearly by sitting directly in front of them, reducing background noise like television volume, and allowing people to speak one at a time.