Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting all adults as they age, but it’s a gradual process. Actually, over 50% of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly progressing condition of hearing loss as we age is generally known as presbycusis. There’s no one definitive cause for this to happen, but it is normally considered to be a combo of many factors.
As we grow older, our ears go through changes. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
The onset of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells are damaged or die. These hair cells don’t regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
A few of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of several medical conditions, including diabetes.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- Hearing loss risk is increased by some medications including chemotherapy drugs.
- Loud noises like going to concerts regularly or working in an environment with continual loud noise.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people speak, trouble hearing soft voices including kids, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
Additionally, elevating the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
Treating age-related hearing loss is essential
Quality of life will be negatively impacted by untreated hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is connected to depression, sadness, anxiousness, cognitive decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
Instead of these problems, consider possible treatments, such as hearing aids, sign language for people with severe hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anyone should have to do. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing test and to talk about the best treatments for your hearing loss or for somebody you love.
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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