Does hearing loss get worse as you get older? Hearing loss is a common gradually progressing condition that affects all adults. Actually, over 50% of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is defined as age-related hearing loss or the slow process of hearing loss as we get older. There is no one definitive cause for this to happen, but it is usually considered a combination of many factors.
As we age, our ears undergo 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 onset of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells are damaged or die. These hair cells do not regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.
Some of the triggers of hearing loss include the following:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud sound consistently over long periods of time.
- Particular medicines including chemotherapy drugs raise the risk.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, particularly with headphones.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have trouble hearing soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of clarity when someone speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other indicators 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.
Dealing with age-related hearing loss is essential
Quality of life will be negatively affected by neglected hearing loss. Anxiousness, depression, sadness, social withdrawal, compromised 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.
Instead of these issues, consider possible treatments, such as hearing aids, sign language for people with severe hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
No one should suffer 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 go over 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