Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common gradually progressing condition that impacts all adults. Actually, over one half of people 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the gradual process of hearing loss as we age. There’s no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is normally considered a combo of many factors.
As we grow older, our ears go through changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the consequence. These hair cells don’t restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Certain medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with continual loud noise.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
- Various medical disorders like diabetes can lead to hearing loss.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people talk, trouble hearing soft voices like kids, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
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 important
Neglected hearing loss decreases quality of life. Anxiousness, depression, despair, social withdrawal, compromised relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated 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 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. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
If you or someone you love is coping with hearing loss, contact 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
