Is age a factor in the advancement of hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions impacting all adults as they get older, but it is a slow process. Half of people over the age of 75 have difficulty with their hearing, as a matter of fact.
Presbycusis
The slowly progressing condition of hearing loss as we age is generally known as presbycusis. Typically, there will be a variety of elements contributing to this condition.
Changes happen in our inner ear as we get older. There are little hair cells in your ears that pick up waves of sound and transmit the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
The beginning of hearing loss takes place when the hair cells are damaged or die. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never regenerate.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Particular medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Specific medical conditions like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by frequently listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in a setting with continual loud noise.
- Hearing loss runs in familiess.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clarity when people talk, difficulty hearing soft voices including children, and difficulty hearing when there is background sound.
In addition, increasing the TV volume, asking others to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
The importance of dealing with age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively affected by untreated hearing loss. Anxiousness, depression, sadness, social withdrawal, compromised relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated hearing loss can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
These issues can, to a great extent, be avoided by having your hearing loss treated with strategies such as hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is severe, sign language.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
Contact 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