Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions impacting all adults as they get older, but it is a gradual process. Half of people older than 75 have trouble with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we get older. There is no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is typically considered a combo of many factors.
Changes happen in our inner ear as we get older. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They detect sound waves and change them into nerve signals that our brain uses to translate sound.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the result. These hair cells do not regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
A few of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Hearing loss risk is raised by certain drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts regularly or working in an environment with consistent loud noise.
- Specific medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have difficulty making out soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background sound, and an overall lack of clarity when someone talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other indicators of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank up the volume on the TV.
The benefit of treating age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively affected by untreated hearing loss. Neglected hearing loss is connected to depression, sadness, anxiousness, cognitive decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
Instead of these issues, consider possible treatments, including hearing aids, sign language for individuals who have severe hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
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!
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