Does hearing loss get worse as you age? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting all adults as they age, but it’s a slow process. Actually, over one half of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we get older. There is no one definitive cause for this to happen, but it is usually considered a combo of many factors.
As we age, our ears go through changes. There are little 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 interpret sound.
The onset of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never restore.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Particular medications including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
- Hearing loss can be the result of numerous medical disorders, including diabetes.
- Exposure to loud noise frequently over long periods of time.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people talk, trouble hearing soft voices like children, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
Additionally, elevating the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
Managing age-related hearing loss is essential
Untreated hearing loss reduces quality of life. Neglected hearing loss is linked to depression, sadness, anxiety, mental decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These problems 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 severe, sign language.
No one should need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
If you or someone you love is dealing 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
