Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common gradually progressing condition that impacts all adults. Half of people older than 75 have trouble with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
The slowly developing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. Typically, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we get 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.
The beginning of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells are damaged or die. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never regenerate.
A few of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Certain medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Some medicines including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
- Exposure to loud noise frequently over long time periods.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people speak, trouble hearing soft voices including children, and trouble 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.
Managing age-related hearing loss is important
Untreated hearing loss decreases quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is connected to depression, despair, stress, mental decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues 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 severe, sign language.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing examination and to discuss the best treatments for your hearing loss or for someone 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
