Does hearing loss get worse as you get older? Hearing loss is a common slowly advancing condition that affects all adults. Actually, over one half of individuals 75 and older have difficulty hearing.
Presbycusis
The slowly developing condition of hearing loss as we get older is generally known as presbycusis. Usually, there will be a combination of factors contributing to this condition.
As we grow older, our ears undergo changes. There are little hair cells in your ears that detect waves of sound and communicate the signals to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
When these tiny hair cells become damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is the result. Hearing loss that is the outcome of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Loud noises such as going to concerts regularly or working in a setting with continual loud noise.
- Smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Hearing loss can be the result of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
- Hearing loss risk is raised by some medications including chemotherapy drugs.
Some common symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have trouble hearing soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of clarity when somebody talks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Additionally, elevating the TV volume, asking people to repeat what they said, and ringing in your ears can also be signs of hearing loss.
Dealing with age-related hearing loss is important
Quality of life will be negatively affected by untreated hearing loss. Anxiety, depression, sadness, social isolation, jeopardized 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.
Rather than dealing with these issues, think about possible treatments, such as hearing aids, sign language for people who have extreme hearing loss, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, or a cochlear implant.
No one should need to cope with age-related hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy your life again.
Consult us today to schedule your hearing test 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
