Does hearing loss worsen as you age? Hearing loss is a common gradually progressing condition that affects all adults. Half of people over the age of 75 have difficulty with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we age. Usually, there will be a variety of factors contributing to this condition.
As we age, our ears undergo changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
The beginning of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells become damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never regenerate.
A few of the causes of hearing loss include the following:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Hearing loss risk is increased by some drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Specific medical disorders including diabetes can lead to hearing loss.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in an environment with continual loud noise.
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a hard time hearing soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of resolution when someone speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other signs of hearing loss include frequently needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank up the volume on the TV.
The importance of treating age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively impacted by neglected hearing loss. Neglected hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, anxiousness, mental decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
Instead of these issues, think about possible treatments, like hearing aids, sign language for people with extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
Suffering with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anyone should have to do. You can still have a full 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