Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting all adults as they get older, but it’s a gradual process. Actually, over 50% of people 75 and older have trouble hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly advancing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. There is no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is usually considered to be a combo of many factors.
As we get older, our ears undergo changes. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the outcome. These hair cells do not restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
A few of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in an environment with consistent loud noise.
- Particular medications including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Hearing loss can be the result of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
- Hearing loss runs in familiess.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people talk, difficulty hearing soft voices like children, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
Other signs of hearing loss include frequently asking people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to turn the volume up on the TV.
Dealing with age-related hearing loss is important
Quality of life will be negatively affected by neglected hearing loss. Neglected hearing loss is linked to depression, sadness, anxiousness, mental decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These problems can, to a great degree, 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 extreme, sign language.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
If you or someone you love is coping 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