Does hearing loss get worse as you get older? Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions impacting all adults as they get older, but it’s a slow process. In fact, over one half of those 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly progressing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. Usually, there will be a variety of elements contributing to this condition.
As we get older, our ears go through changes. 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 occurs when the hair cells become damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the consequence of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Exposure to loud sound frequently over long time periods.
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
- Hearing loss risk is increased by certain drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Common symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people speak, trouble hearing soft voices like kids, and trouble hearing when there’s background sound.
In addition, increasing the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be indications of hearing loss.
The benefit of treating age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively affected by neglected hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, despair, anxiousness, cognitive decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These problems can, to a great degree, be avoided by having your hearing loss treated with solutions 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 discuss 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