Hard of hearing individuals lack some auditory sensitivity, but may have sufficient residual hearing to allow them to process linguistic information. They can use hearing aids that help them to hear. While Deaf individuals have a complete absence of auditory sensitivity and the mode of communication for them is visual (sign language) or tactile or both.

The cause of hearing loss can be by factors such as heredity, noise exposure, injury to the ear, high fevers from diseases such as scarlet fever or meningitis, certain medications, head injuries, strokes, and so on. Elder people suffer with two types of hearing loss:

The first are those who lose their hearing progressively or suddenly later in life. These individuals need to use hearing aid, or take classes in speech reading, hearing aid orientation or sign language.

The second types of elders with hearing loss are those who were born deaf or lost their hearing early in life. Many of these individuals attended schools for the deaf, and use Sign Language as their primary mode of communication. The needs of this population are significantly different from those of elders experiencing hearing loss.

In elder people hearing loss without help deprives them, family and friends of easy exchange of feelings, ideas, and other information. Elders may withdraw from others because they have difficulty talking to others or understanding them. They may feel fearful to live individually because they cannot, be aware of sounds such as door knocks, the telephone ringing, sirens, and so on.

Elder people need to have a medical examination by a physician to determine what degree of hearing loss they have, and about the treatment. The physician will refer them to an audiologist who can determine the percentage of deafness and what aids are best for them.

Deaf elders need services, health care, provided in their language or with an interpreter.

Memory loss is another rising problem among the older age people. This is a part of normal ageing but many fear they have a dementia. Dementia also involves a decline in cognitive and intellectual function such as comprehension, learning capacity, the ability to think and calculate, as well as language and judgment.

High circulating levels of homocysteine, especially with increasing age, have been associated with cognitive impairment. The folate status is important as it help modify homocysteine levels. Alzheimer disease and dementia after multiple strokes have been linked to extremely high serum homocysteine concentrations.

Loss of memory is influenced by physical health, lifestyle habits and educational level of the individual. Older people are capable of maintaining a good memory through exercising their minds frequently and using appropriate memory skills.

Factors that are responsible for memory loss in elders are Lack of opportunity for practicing and rehearsing. Not giving much attention, external interference or distractions. Fatigue leading to poor concentration and in few cases Psychological stress and emotional problems, e.g. depression and anxiety. Lack of confidence in many older people makes them feel too pessimistic and negative.

To improve Memory the following tips are necessary:

Try to attend to one task at a time and avoid external distraction.
Simplify information and remember them one by one. If possible write them down or take someone support to put it on the paper especially telephone numbers.
Place things in the same area so it is easy to pick them like your glasses, keys, medicines, etc.

Categorize information by putting similar items in the same list, e.g. when shopping.
Be self-confident and adopt a positive attitude.
Use coping strategies or memory aids, e.g. draw up checklists and timetable, use tape recorder and electrical appliances such as medication alarm, big calendar, colorful labels and pictures, etc.

In summary, if elders effectively apply the above skills in daily living, they are capable of maintaining good memory. However, if there is rapid deterioration in memory, affecting daily life and home safety, professional advice should be sought.