Is age a factor in the advancement of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly progressing condition that affects all adults. Actually, over one half of those 75 and older have trouble hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we age. Normally, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we get older, our ears undergo changes. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
The onset of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the consequence of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never regenerate.
A few of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Certain medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud sound consistently over long time periods.
- Certain medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people talk, difficulty hearing soft voices like kids, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
Other signs of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank up the volume on the TV.
Treating age-related hearing loss is essential
Quality of life will be negatively affected by untreated hearing loss. Neglected hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, anxiousness, cognitive decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These problems can, to a great extent, 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.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.
Consult with us today to schedule your hearing test and to go over 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