What should be done for an 80-year-old elderly person with hearing loss?

Generally, hearing loss in 80-year-old individuals may be caused by factors such as organ aging, environmental influences, cerumen impaction, otitis media, or diabetes. Treatment under a doctor's guidance may include general management and medication. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Organ Aging

With increasing age, the functions of various human organs gradually decline, including the auditory system. Structures such as hair cells in the inner ear and the auditory nerve progressively degenerate, leading to hearing loss and deafness. It is advisable to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid exposure to noise stimulation.

2. Environmental Factors

Long-term exposure to noisy environments—such as those near factories or airports—can damage auditory organs, resulting in hearing loss and eventual deafness. It is important to avoid noisy environments and maintain a quiet living environment.

3. Cerumen Impaction

Cerumen impaction is primarily caused by excessive cerumen secretion or blocked expulsion. When excess cerumen accumulates in the external auditory canal due to poor drainage, it forms a plug that obstructs sound conduction, leading to hearing loss and deafness. Symptoms may include ear fullness and tinnitus. Treatment should follow medical advice and may involve medications such as ofloxacin otic solution, lomefloxacin hydrochloride otic solution, or normal saline solution.

4. Otitis Media

Otitis media is mainly caused by pathogen infection. Inflammation leads to increased secretions that accumulate in the middle ear cavity, causing conductive hearing loss. Symptoms may include ear pain and tinnitus. Under medical supervision, treatment may include medications such as amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets, cefuroxime axetil tablets, or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules.

5. Diabetes

Diabetes may result from genetic factors, unhealthy lifestyles, viral infections, and other causes. Poor blood glucose control in diabetic patients can lead to vascular and neural complications, causing insufficient blood supply to the inner ear and auditory nerve, resulting in functional abnormalities and subsequent hearing loss and deafness. Symptoms may include tinnitus and dizziness. Medications such as acarbose tablets, glyburide tablets, or metformin hydrochloride tablets should be used according to medical advice.

In daily life, 80-year-old individuals should pay attention to maintaining ear canal hygiene, avoid prolonged exposure to noisy environments, and manage blood glucose levels effectively to prevent hearing loss and deafness.