Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions impacting all adults as they get older, but it is a gradual process. Actually, over one half of those 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we get older. Usually, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we grow older, our ears go through 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.
The onset of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. These hair cells do not restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Hearing loss risk is raised by some drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Specific medical conditions like diabetes can lead to hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud noise consistently over long periods of time.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have difficulty hearing soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of resolution when someone talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Additionally, increasing the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.
The importance of managing age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively impacted by untreated hearing loss. Anxiousness, depression, sadness, social isolation, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that neglected 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 strategies like hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is severe, sign language.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. You can still live a full and enjoyable life.
If you or somebody you love is dealing 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