von Leden H
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1977 Sep;25(9):422-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1977.tb00677.x.
Regardless of the physical and mental health of any elderly person, verbal communications tend to deteriorate with advancing years. A significant loss of hearing occurs in 30-50 percent of persons over age 65, and voice changes are virtually inevitable after the age of 60. These alterations in the organs of communication increase markedly in incidence and degree after age 70. Deafness is a symptom and not a disease. Presbycusis is the result of degenerative changes affecting the organ of Corti and its central connections. The effects of aging on the expressive system of human communications may take different forms, including changes in the pitch, intensity, and quality of the voice. Therapy consists of rehabilitation, substitution, and amplification for the preservation and maintenance of communications. For patients with presbycusis, rehabilitation may include speech reading, auditory training, speech improvement, hearing-aid instruction, and guidance in social adjustment. Patients with speech and voice impairment need re-education by a skilled speech pathologist. With the aid of communication specialists, the geriatric patient can attain a high level of satisfaction from the give-and-take of personal communications.
无论老年人的身心健康状况如何，随着年龄的增长，言语交流往往会变差。65岁以上的人群中，30%至50%会出现明显的听力丧失，60岁以后声音变化几乎不可避免。70岁以后，这些交流器官的变化在发生率和程度上都会显著增加。耳聋是一种症状而非疾病。老年性耳聋是影响柯蒂氏器及其中枢连接的退行性变化的结果。衰老对人类交流表达系统的影响可能有不同形式，包括声音的音高、强度和音质变化。治疗包括康复、替代和放大，以保存和维持交流。对于老年性耳聋患者，康复可能包括唇读、听觉训练、言语改善、助听器指导以及社会适应指导。有言语和声音障碍的患者需要由熟练的言语病理学家进行再教育。在交流专家的帮助下，老年患者能够从人际交流的互动中获得高度的满足感。
