Is age a factor in the advancement of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common gradually developing condition that impacts all adults. In fact, over 50% of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly advancing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. Normally, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we grow older, our ears undergo changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the result. These hair cells don’t restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.
Some of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with consistent loud noise.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- Certain medications including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have trouble hearing soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and an overall lack of clarity when someone speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
In addition, increasing the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.
Treating age-related hearing loss is important
Quality of life will be negatively affected by neglected hearing loss. Anxiety, depression, sadness, social isolation, compromised relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated hearing loss can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
These problems can, to a great extent, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with strategies such as hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is extreme, sign language.
No one should need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.
Consult with us today to schedule your hearing examination and to discuss 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