Does hearing loss worsen as you get older? Hearing loss is a common gradually developing condition that affects all adults. In fact, over 50% of people 75 and older have trouble hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly developing condition of hearing loss as we get older is commonly known as presbycusis. There is no one definitive cause for this occurrence, but it is usually considered a combination of many factors.
As we get older, our ears undergo changes. There are little 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 uses to interpret sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or die, hearing loss is the result. These hair cells don’t restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
Some of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- Loud noises such as going to concerts regularly or working in a setting with consistent loud noise.
- Hearing loss can be the result of several medical conditions, including diabetes.
- Particular medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- Smoking raises the risk of hearing loss.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people talk, difficulty hearing soft voices including children, and trouble hearing when there is background sound.
In addition, raising the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
The benefit of treating age-related hearing loss
Untreated hearing loss reduces quality of life. Anxiety, depression, sadness, social withdrawal, 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.
Rather than dealing with these problems, consider possible treatments, such as hearing aids, sign language for people who have extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
No one should need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to take pleasure in your life again.
Consult with us today to schedule your hearing examination and to talk about 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