SPTH341: Lecture 7 Sensory Problems in Older People

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SPTH341 Lecture 7Sensory Problems in Older
People

• Based on Erber (1996)

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Issues

• As people get older they gradually loose their
  ability to hear and see with accuracy.
• Not only that but they also often have reduce
  tactile sensitivity and fine motor control.
• Slower cognitive processing, slower response
  time, and more cautious decision making all can
  influence communication.

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Impaired Hearing

• Likely causes in old age
• Cerumen occlusion
• Otosclerosis
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Presbycusis

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Incidence of Hearing Loss
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Characteristics of SNHL

• Reduced auditory sensitivity to weaker sounds,
  most often high frequency.
• Reduced auditory clarity for stronger sounds,
  also most often high frequency.
• Reduced dynamic range between auditory threshold
  and auditory discomfort levels.
• Increased susceptibility to interference from
  environmental distracters.

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Impaired Vision
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Effects of Dual Sensory Impairment

• Hearing loss is often compensated to some degree
  by speechreading.
• Becomes more and more difficult as we age due to
  the effects of increasing vision and hearing loss.