Is age a factor in the progression of hearing loss? Hearing loss is a common slowly progressing condition that impacts all adults. Half of people over the age of 75 have difficulty with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
The slowly progressing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. Usually, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
Changes occur in our inner ear as we grow older. There are little hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
The onset of hearing loss happens when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. These hair cells do not restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud noise frequently over long periods of time.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Some medicines including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
- Specific medical disorders including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people talk, 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 turn the volume up on the TV.
The importance of dealing with age-related hearing loss
Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, sadness, stress, cognitive decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues can, to a great extent, be avoided by having 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.
No one should need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
If you or somebody you love is dealing with hearing loss, contact 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