Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly progressing condition that affects all adults. Actually, over one half of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly progressing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. Typically, there will be a variety of elements contributing to this condition.
Changes occur in our inner ear as we get older. There are little 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 uses to translate sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the consequence. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never regenerate.
Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud sound frequently over long periods of time.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Specific medical disorders including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Certain 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 like children, and trouble hearing when there is background sound.
Additionally, raising the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
The benefit of dealing with age-related hearing loss
Untreated hearing loss decreases quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, anxiety, mental decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues can, to a great degree, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with solutions such as hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is extreme, sign language.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anyone should have to do. You can still have a full and enjoyable life.
If you or somebody you love is coping 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