Does hearing loss get worse as you age? Hearing loss is a common slowly advancing condition that affects all adults. In fact, over one half of individuals 75 and older have a hard time hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we age. Usually, there will be a combination of factors contributing to this condition.
As we grow older, our ears go through 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.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the consequence. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is permanent as these hairs never regenerate.
Some of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Loud noises like going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with continual loud noise.
- Hearing loss can be genetics.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Hearing loss can be the result of several medical conditions, including diabetes.
- Hearing loss risk is raised by some drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
Some typical 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 talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Additionally, raising the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.
Treating age-related hearing loss is important
Untreated hearing loss decreases quality of life. Anxiousness, depression, despair, social withdrawal, compromised relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that neglected hearing loss can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
These issues can, to a great degree, 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 extreme, sign language.
Struggling with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anyone should have to do. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing examination and to go over the best treatments for your hearing loss or for someone 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