Does hearing loss worsen as you get older? Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting all adults as they get older, but it’s a slow process. Actually, over 50% of people 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we age. Usually, there will be a combination of factors contributing to this condition.
Changes occur in our inner ear as we get older. 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.
When these little hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the outcome. These hair cells don’t regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
- Loud noises like going to concerts regularly or working in a setting with continual loud noise.
- Hearing loss risk is increased by specific drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- Specific medical conditions including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people speak, trouble hearing soft voices including kids, and trouble hearing when there’s background sound.
Additionally, increasing the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
Dealing with age-related hearing loss is important
Untreated hearing loss reduces quality of life. Neglected hearing loss is connected to depression, despair, anxiousness, cognitive decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues can, to a great extent, be avoided by having 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.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. You can still have a complete and enjoyable life.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing examination 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
