Mr. Akins is a 78-year-old patient who presents to the clinic with complaints of hearing loss. Which are changes in hearing that occur in older adults? (Select all that apply.)
A) Results from cranial nerve VII
B) Slow progression
C) Loss of high frequency
D) Bone conduction heard longer than air conduction
E) Sounds may be garbled, difficult to localize
F) Unable to hear in a crowded room

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Age-related hearing loss is associated with degeneration of hair cells in the organ of Corti, loss of cortical and organ of Corti auditory neurons, degeneration of the cochlear conductive membrane, and decreased vascularity in the cochlea. Sensorineural hearing loss first occurs with high-frequency sounds and then progresses to tones of lower frequency. Loss of high-frequency sounds usually interferes with the understanding of speech and localization of sound. Conductive hearing loss may result from an excess deposition of bone cells along the ossicle chain, causing fixation of the stapes in the oval window, cerumen impaction, or a sclerotic tympanic membrane.

Mr Akins Is a 78-Year-Old Patient Who Presents to the Clinic