Which age-related sensory change is commonly observed in older adults?

Which age-related sensory change is commonly observed in older adults?

• A. Reddened gums
• B. Lowered vocal pitch
• C. Glare intolerance
• D. Thickened eardrums

Answer: (C)

Vision changes are among the most common sensory changes with aging. The eye’s lens becomes less clear and the pupil shrinks, making it harder to adapt to bright light. This leads to glare intolerance, where bright lights, headlights, or sunlight cause discomfort, halos, or blurred vision. Cataracts often contribute by scattering light inside the eye, worsening the effect. Reddened gums aren’t a typical age-related sensory change; they usually indicate gum disease or irritation. Lowered vocal pitch is a voice change (not a sensory perception). Thickened eardrums aren’t a standard age-related change; aging hearing loss is more about reduced high-frequency perception and middle-ear changes, not membrane thickening. So glare intolerance best fits an age-related sensory change.

Vision changes are among the most common sensory changes with aging. The eye’s lens becomes less clear and the pupil shrinks, making it harder to adapt to bright light. This leads to glare intolerance, where bright lights, headlights, or sunlight cause discomfort, halos, or blurred vision. Cataracts often contribute by scattering light inside the eye, worsening the effect.

Reddened gums aren’t a typical age-related sensory change; they usually indicate gum disease or irritation. Lowered vocal pitch is a voice change (not a sensory perception). Thickened eardrums aren’t a standard age-related change; aging hearing loss is more about reduced high-frequency perception and middle-ear changes, not membrane thickening.

So glare intolerance best fits an age-related sensory change.