Which of the following is true about hearing loss in late adulthood?

• A. Hearing loss in late adulthood is usually caused by damage to the outer ear only.
• B. Hearing loss in late adulthood is most commonly due to age-related changes in the inner ear.
• C. Hearing loss in late adulthood rarely affects the ability to understand speech.
• D. Most older adults experience improved hearing sensitivity as they age.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the types of hearing loss: Conductive hearing loss involves problems with the outer or middle ear, while sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
2. Recognize that in late adulthood, hearing loss is most commonly sensorineural, often due to age-related changes in the inner ear structures such as the cochlea.
3. Note that damage to the outer ear alone is not typically the cause of hearing loss in older adults; the outer ear usually remains intact.
4. Consider that hearing loss in late adulthood often affects the ability to understand speech, especially in noisy environments, due to changes in the inner ear and auditory processing.
5. Remember that hearing sensitivity generally declines with age, so most older adults do not experience improved hearing as they age.