Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common gradually advancing condition that affects all adults. Actually, over 50% of people 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the gradual process of hearing loss as we age. Typically, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we age, our ears go through changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the consequence. These hair cells don’t restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.
A few of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Exposure to loud sound consistently over long time periods.
- Hearing loss risk is raised by certain medications including chemotherapy drugs.
- Hearing loss runs in familiess.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a tough time hearing soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background sound, and a general lack of resolution when somebody speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other signs of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to turn up the volume on the TV.
The importance of managing age-related hearing loss
Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Anxiety, depression, despair, social withdrawal, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that neglected hearing loss can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
These issues 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.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anybody should have to do. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.
If you or somebody you love is dealing with hearing loss, call us today to schedule a hearing assessment!
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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
