Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly progressing condition that impacts all adults. Half of people over the age of 75 have trouble with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
The slowly advancing condition of hearing loss as we get older is generally known as presbycusis. There is no one definitive cause for this to happen, but it is typically considered to be a combination of many factors.
As we get older, our ears go through changes. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They detect sound waves and change them into nerve signals that our brain utilizes to translate sound.
The onset of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells become damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never regenerate.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Specific medical disorders including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Hearing loss risk is raised by specific medications including chemotherapy drugs.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts regularly or working in an environment with consistent loud noise.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
Common 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 noise, and a general lack of resolution when someone speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other indicators of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank up the volume on the TV.
Dealing with age-related hearing loss is important
Neglected hearing loss decreases quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, anxiousness, mental decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
Rather than dealing with these issues, consider possible treatments, including hearing aids, sign language for people who have severe hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
Suffering with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. You can still have a complete and enjoyable life.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing test and to talk about 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
