Is age a factor in the development of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting all adults as they age, but it’s a gradual process. In fact, over one half of people 75 and older have trouble hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we get older. Usually, there will be a combination of elements contributing to this condition.
As we get older, our ears go through changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
The beginning of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells are damaged or die. Hearing loss that is the result of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
A few of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Hearing loss risk is raised by some medications including chemotherapy drugs.
- Certain medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Loud noises like going to concerts regularly or working in an environment with continual loud noise.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a tough time making out soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and an overall lack of resolution when somebody talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other signs of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank up the volume on the TV.
Treating age-related hearing loss is essential
Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is connected to depression, sadness, stress, mental decline, diminishing social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
Instead of these problems, think about possible treatments, including hearing aids, sign language for people who have extreme 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 with us today to schedule your hearing test and to go over the best treatments for your hearing loss or for someone you love.
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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