Aging changes in the senses

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Aged eye anatomy	Aging changes in hearing	Hearing aids	Sense of sight
Tongue

The sharpness (acuity) of hearing may decline slightly beginning about age 50, possibly caused by changes in the auditory nerve. In addition, the brain may have a slightly decreased ability to process or translate sounds into meaningful information. Impacted ear wax is another cause of trouble hearing and is more common with increasing age. Impacted ear wax may be removed in your doctor's office.

Some hearing loss is almost inevitable. It is estimated that 30% of all people over 65 have significant hearing impairment.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound has problems getting through the external and middle ear. Surgery or a hearing aid may be helpful for this type of hearing loss, depending on the specific cause.

Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear, auditory nerve, or the brain. This type of hearing loss may or may not respond to treatment.

Persistent, abnormal ear noise (tinnitus) is another fairly common hearing problem, especially for older adults.

VISION

Vision occurs when light is processed by your eye and interpreted by your brain. Light passes through the transparent eye surface (cornea).

Your pupil is an opening to the eye interior. It becomes larger or smaller to regulate the amount of light that enters your eye. The colored portion (iris) is a muscle that controls the pupil size.

The inside of your eye is filled with a gel-like fluid. There is a flexible, transparent lens that focuses light on your retina (the back of the eye). Your retina converts light energy into a nerve impulse that is carried to the brain and interpreted.

Some age-related eye changes may begin as early as your 30s. Aging eyes produce less tears. Dry eyes can be quite uncomfortable. Many people find relief by using eyedrops or artificial tears solutions.

All of the eye structures change with aging. The cornea becomes less sensitive, so injuries may not be noticed. By the time you turn 60, your pupils decrease to about one-third of the size they were when you were 20.