Is age a factor in the development 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. In fact, over one half of those 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly advancing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. There’s no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is normally considered 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 translated as sound.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the outcome. These hair cells do not regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Exposure to loud sound consistently over long time periods.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Hearing loss can be the result of several medical conditions, including diabetes.
- Hearing loss risk is raised by certain drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
- Hearing loss runs in familiess.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a tough time making out soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of clarity when somebody talks 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 crank up the volume on the TV.
The importance of dealing with age-related hearing loss
Untreated hearing loss reduces quality of life. Neglected hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, stress, mental decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues can, to a great extent, be avoided by having your hearing loss treated with solutions such as 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. You can still live a full and enjoyable life.
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