Balance (equilibrium) is controlled in a portion of the inner ear. Fluid and small hairs in the semicircular canal (labyrinth) stimulate the nerve that helps the brain maintain balance.

As you age, your ear structures deteriorate. The eardrum often thickens and the bones of the middle ear and other structures are affected. It often becomes increasingly difficult to maintain balance.

Hearing may decline, especially that of high-frequency sounds, particularly in people who have been exposed to a lot of noise when younger. This age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis. Some hearing loss is almost inevitable. It is estimated that 30% of all people over 65 have significant hearing impairment.

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.

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, but function can be helped by hearing aids.

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

Persistent, abnormal ear noise (tinnitus) is another fairly common hearing problem, especially for older adults. It is usually a result of mild hearing loss.

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 inside of the eye. It becomes larger or smaller to control the amount of light that enters your eye. The colored portion (iris) is a muscle that controls the pupil size.

After light passes through your pupil, it reaches the lens. The lens 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.

Images

Smelling

Tasting

Sense of sight

Hearing aids

Tongue

Aged eye anatomy

Hearing and the cochlea

Aging changes in hearing

Seeing

Feeling pain

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Aging changes in the senses Prevention

Review Date: 11/17/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)