Does hearing loss worsen as you get older? Hearing loss is a common gradually advancing condition that affects all adults. Half of people older than 75 have difficulty with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the gradual process of hearing loss as we get older. There’s no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is usually considered a combination of many factors.
Changes happen in our inner ear as we age. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They detect sound waves and change them into nerve signals that our brain utilizes to translate sound.
The onset of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells become damaged or die. Hearing loss that is the consequence of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
Some of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- Hearing loss risk is raised by some medications including chemotherapy drugs.
- Exposure to loud noise consistently over long periods of time.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Hearing loss can be the result of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people speak, trouble hearing soft voices like children, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
Additionally, raising the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
The importance of treating age-related hearing loss
Untreated hearing loss decreases quality of life. Anxiety, depression, despair, social isolation, compromised relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated hearing loss can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
Instead of these issues, think about possible treatments, including hearing aids, sign language for those with severe hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. You can still live a complete and enjoyable life.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing test 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