Is age a factor in the advancement of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions impacting all adults as they age, but it’s a slow process. In fact, over 50% of people 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly developing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. There is no one definitive cause for this to happen, but it is usually considered a combination of many factors.
As we get older, our ears go through changes. There are little hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They pick up sound waves and translate them into nerve signals that our brain utilizes to interpret sound.
The beginning of hearing loss happens when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never regenerate.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- Exposure to loud sound frequently over long time periods.
- Specific medical conditions including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Certain medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have trouble hearing soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background sound, and an overall lack of clarity when somebody talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Additionally, increasing the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.
Treating age-related hearing loss is essential
Quality of life will be negatively affected by neglected hearing loss. Anxiety, depression, despair, social withdrawal, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that neglected hearing loss can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
These issues can, to a great degree, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with strategies 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. You can still have a complete 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