Is age a factor in the advancement of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common gradually progressing condition that affects all adults. In fact, over one half of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.

Presbycusis

The slowly advancing condition of hearing loss as we get older is commonly known as presbycusis. Normally, there will be a combination of elements contributing to this condition.

Changes occur in our inner ear as we grow older. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.

The beginning of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells become damaged or die. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never regenerate.

The following are some causes of hearing loss:

• Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
• Some medications including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
• Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
• Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
• Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in an environment with continual loud noise.
• Certain medical conditions like diabetes can lead to hearing loss.

Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss

When you have a hard time hearing soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and an overall lack of clarity when somebody speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.

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

The importance of treating age-related hearing loss

Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, sadness, anxiousness, mental decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.

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

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

If you or somebody 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