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 slow process. Half of people over the age of 75 have trouble with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we get older. Typically, there will be a combination of factors contributing to this condition.
As we age, our ears undergo changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted 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 irreversible.
A few of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Hearing loss risk is increased by specific drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Exposure to loud noise frequently over long periods of time.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a hard time making out soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background sound, and a general lack of clarity when someone talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Additionally, raising the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.
The benefit of treating age-related hearing loss
Untreated hearing loss reduces quality of life. Anxiety, depression, sadness, social isolation, compromised 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.
These issues can, to a great extent, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with solutions like hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is extreme, sign language.
No one should need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
Consult with us today to schedule your hearing test and to go over the best treatments for your hearing loss or for somebody you love.
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
