What should be done for an elderly person over 80 years old experiencing ringing in the ears?

Generally, a buzzing sound in the ears of an 80-year-old elderly person may be caused by age-related hearing loss, cerumen impaction, external otitis, sensorineural tinnitus, auditory nerve disorders, or other reasons. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Age-Related Hearing Loss

With increasing age, the number of auditory neurons in the ear may decrease, leading to reduced hearing ability. Age-related hearing loss is a common phenomenon and may cause a buzzing sensation in the ears. This is generally considered a normal physiological occurrence.

2. Cerumen Impaction

Cerumen is a natural secretion in the ear canal that protects the ear from dust and bacterial invasion. When excessive or overly hardened, cerumen can block the ear canal, causing a feeling of fullness and buzzing sounds. Patients can resolve this by cleaning the ear canal or using ear-cleaning agents.

3. External Otitis

External otitis may be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, with common symptoms including ear pain, itching, redness, and swelling. Inflammation and infection can lead to swelling of the ear canal and increased secretions, potentially causing a buzzing sound. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as amoxicillin capsules or roxithromycin tablets for treatment.

4. Sensorineural Tinnitus

Sensorineural tinnitus refers to the perception of internal buzzing or ringing sounds in the ears without external auditory stimuli. Under medical guidance, patients may use medications such as flunarizine hydrochloride capsules or ginkgo leaf extracts for treatment.

5. Auditory Nerve Disorders

Auditory nerve disorders refer to damage or abnormalities in the auditory nerve or auditory pathways. These may be caused by various factors, such as inflammation of sensory neurons or sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and may result in buzzing sounds and hearing problems. Symptoms can be alleviated by using hearing aids.

Note: If experiencing buzzing sounds in the ears, it is recommended to consult a doctor for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment advice.