Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly developing condition that affects all adults. In fact, over 50% of people 75 and older have a hard time hearing.

Presbycusis

Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the gradual process of hearing loss as we age. There is no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is usually considered to be a combination of many factors.

Changes happen in our inner ear as we age. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.

The beginning of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells are damaged or die. These hair cells don’t restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.

Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:

• Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
• Certain medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
• Hearing loss risk is raised by specific drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
• Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
• Loud noises like going to concerts frequently or working in an environment with consistent loud noise.
• The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.

Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss

When you have difficulty making out soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of resolution when somebody talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.

In addition, elevating the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.

The benefit of treating age-related hearing loss

Untreated hearing loss decreases quality of life. Anxiousness, depression, sadness, social withdrawal, compromised relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated hearing loss can have a negative effect on your quality of life.

Instead of these problems, consider possible treatments, such as hearing aids, sign language for those with extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.

No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. You can still live a full and enjoyable life.

Contact us today to schedule your hearing test and to go over the best treatments for your hearing loss or for somebody you love.

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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