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 one half of people 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
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 to happen, but it is normally considered to be a combination of many factors.
Changes occur in our inner ear as we grow older. There are tiny hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They pick up sound waves and change them into nerve signals that our brain utilizes to translate sound.
The onset of hearing loss happens when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never restore.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Hearing loss risk is increased by certain drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Loud noises like going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with consistent loud noise.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people talk, trouble hearing soft voices including kids, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
Other indicators of hearing loss include regularly asking people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank the volume up on the TV.
Dealing with age-related hearing loss is important
Quality of life will be negatively affected by untreated hearing loss. Anxiety, depression, sadness, social isolation, 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 having your hearing loss treated with solutions 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.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing test and to discuss 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