Is age a factor in the advancement of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly advancing condition that impacts all adults. Half of people over the age of 75 have difficulty with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
The slowly progressing condition of hearing loss as we age is generally known as presbycusis. Usually, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
Changes occur in our inner ear as we age. There are little hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
The onset of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never restore.
Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Loud noises like going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with consistent loud noise.
- Various medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Hearing loss risk is increased by some medications including chemotherapy drugs.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people speak, difficulty hearing soft voices like children, and difficulty hearing when there’s background sound.
Additionally, raising the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
Managing age-related hearing loss is important
Quality of life will be negatively affected by untreated hearing loss. Neglected hearing loss is connected to depression, sadness, anxiousness, cognitive decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These problems can, to a great extent, be avoided by having your hearing loss treated with solutions 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 anyone should have to do. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing examination and to discuss the best treatments for your hearing loss or for somebody you love.
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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