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’s a slow process. Actually, over 50% of those 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly developing condition of hearing loss as we age is generally known as presbycusis. Normally, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we get older, our ears go through changes. There are tiny 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 translate sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the result. These hair cells do not regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Various medical conditions like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud sound consistently over long periods of time.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Some medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people speak, difficulty hearing soft voices including kids, and trouble hearing when there is background sound.
Other indicators of hearing loss include frequently needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank the volume up on the TV.
The importance of managing age-related hearing loss
Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Anxiety, depression, despair, social isolation, compromised 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 extent, be avoided by having 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 need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
If you or someone you love is struggling 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