Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions impacting all adults as they get older, but it’s a gradual process. In fact, over 50% of those 75 and older have trouble hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we age. Usually, there will be a combination of elements contributing to this condition.
Changes happen in our inner ear as we age. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They detect sound waves and translate them into nerve signals that our brain uses to translate sound.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the consequence. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never restore.
Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Certain medical conditions including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Loud noises like going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with continual loud noise.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Particular medicines including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people speak, difficulty hearing soft voices including kids, and difficulty hearing when there’s background sound.
Other indicators of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to turn up the volume on the TV.
The importance of treating age-related hearing loss
Untreated hearing loss reduces quality of life. Anxiousness, depression, despair, social isolation, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated hearing loss can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
Rather than dealing with these issues, consider possible treatments, such as hearing aids, sign language for those who have extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
Suffering with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. You can still live a full and enjoyable life.
If you or someone you love is coping with hearing loss, contact 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