Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly advancing condition that affects 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 elements contributing to this condition.
Changes happen in our inner ear as we age. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
The onset of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells become damaged or die. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Hearing loss risk is increased by some drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Certain medical disorders like diabetes can lead to hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud sound frequently over long periods of time.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have trouble making out soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and an overall lack of resolution when someone talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
In addition, elevating 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 treating age-related hearing loss
Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is connected to depression, despair, stress, cognitive decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
Rather than dealing with these problems, consider possible treatments, like hearing aids, sign language for those who have extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
Consult with 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