Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting all adults as they get older, but it’s a gradual process. Actually, over 50% of individuals 75 and older have trouble hearing.

Presbycusis

Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the gradual process of hearing loss as we get older. Usually, there will be a combination of factors contributing to this condition.

As we grow older, our ears undergo changes. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They pick up sound waves and change them into nerve signals that our brain utilizes to interpret sound.

When these tiny hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the outcome. Hearing loss that is the consequence of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never regenerate.

The following are some causes of hearing loss:

• Specific medical disorders including diabetes can lead to hearing loss.
• Exposure to loud noise consistently over long periods of time.
• Hearing loss can be genetics.
• Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
• Hearing loss risk is raised by some medications including chemotherapy drugs.
• Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.

Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss

Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people talk, difficulty hearing soft voices like kids, and difficulty hearing when there’s background sound.

Other indicators of hearing loss include frequently asking people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank the volume up on the TV.

The benefit of managing age-related hearing loss

Untreated hearing loss decreases quality of life. Anxiety, depression, despair, social withdrawal, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that neglected hearing loss can have a negative impact on your quality of life.

These issues can, to a great degree, be avoided by having your hearing loss treated with solutions like hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is extreme, sign language.

No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.

If you or someone you love is coping with hearing loss, call us today to schedule a hearing assessment!

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References
Older Adults — Hearing Health Foundation
Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
Seniors and Hearing Loss – American Academy of Audiology