Does hearing loss get worse as you get older? Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent conditions impacting all adults as they get older, but it is a slow process. In fact, over one half of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly developing condition of hearing loss as we age is generally known as presbycusis. Typically, 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 detect 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. These hair cells don’t regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Hearing loss risk is increased by specific drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with consistent loud noise.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a hard time hearing soft voices, kid’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.
Additionally, increasing the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
The benefit of managing age-related hearing loss
Neglected hearing loss decreases quality of life. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, stress, mental decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These problems can, to a great extent, be avoided by having your hearing loss treated with solutions 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 anybody should have to do. There are ways to enjoy 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.
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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