Sensory loss can be averted.

Although the physical senses of taste, smell, hearing, touch, and vision start to decline at around age 30, the loss is so minimal that most people should be able to function normally throughout their lives, indicates James Mold, a family medicine specialist at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. "It's only when other factors enter in to compound these losses that problems arise. For the most part, if people recognized they were going to live a long time and took care of their bodies--avoiding unnecessary injuries, maintaining good nutrition, and exercising--they wouldn't need to worry about sensory losses, because they aren't significant."

Most damage to senses is caused by environmental factors, much of which becomes apparent as people enter their 70s. To avert or postpone it, Mold offers the following advice:

Hearing. Exposure to loud noises and a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet can contribute to hearing loss. "Nearly all Americans over age 65 have substantial amounts of hearing loss in the high frequency range. But in countries and cultures in which people aren't exposed to loud noises, and eat low-fat diets, there is minimal hearing loss. Damage from loud noise is cumulative, so the best way to prevent or slow [it] is to wear hearing protection."

Taste. Several factors contribute to loss of taste, such as nutritional deficiencies, poor oral hygiene, smoking, dentures, and yeast infections in the mouth. Taste buds also can be damaged by burning the tongue with hot foods such as pizza or coffee. The key to keeping taste buds functioning well is to include sufficient zinc. Vitamin A, and niacin in the diet by taking a multi-vitamin supplement or eating foods high in these nutrients. In women who have passed menopause, estrogen replacement can help preserve taste perception.

Touch. The most common cause of loss of sensation...