Does hearing loss worsen as you get older? Hearing loss is a common slowly progressing condition that impacts all adults. 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 get older is generally known as presbycusis. Typically, there will be a combination of elements contributing to this condition.
As we age, our ears undergo changes. There are tiny hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
When these little hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the outcome. These hair cells don’t restore or grow back, so any hearing loss is permanent.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by regularly listening to loud music, especially with headphones.
- Hearing loss risk is raised by certain drugs including chemotherapy drugs.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts frequently or working in an environment with continual loud noise.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Heredity plays a role in hearing loss.
- Certain medical disorders like diabetes can result in hearing loss.
Typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
Typical symptoms of presbycusis include lack of clearness when people speak, difficulty hearing soft voices including children, and trouble hearing when there is background sound.
Other indicators of hearing loss include frequently needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to turn up the volume on the TV.
The benefit of dealing with age-related hearing loss
Neglected hearing loss reduces quality of life. Anxiousness, depression, despair, social withdrawal, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that neglected hearing loss can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
Instead of these issues, think about possible treatments, including hearing aids, sign language for people who have extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. You can still have a complete and enjoyable life.
If you or someone you love is struggling with hearing loss, call us today to schedule a hearing assessment!
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
