Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly progressing condition that impacts all adults. Actually, over one half of individuals 75 and older have trouble 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 a combination of many factors.
As we age, our ears go through changes. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They pick up sound waves and translate them into nerve signals that our brain utilizes to translate sound.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the outcome. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
A few of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes.
- Particular medications including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Loud noises like going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with consistent loud noise.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a hard time hearing soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background sound, and a general lack of resolution when somebody talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Additionally, elevating the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
The benefit of dealing with age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively impacted by neglected hearing loss. Neglected hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, anxiety, cognitive decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues can, to a great degree, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with strategies like hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is severe, sign language.
Suffering with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. You can still live a complete and enjoyable life.
If you or someone you love is coping 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