Does hearing loss worsen as you get older? Hearing loss is a common gradually 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 developing condition of hearing loss as we age is commonly known as presbycusis. Usually, there will be a combination of factors 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 transmit the signals to the brain to be translated as sound.
The beginning of hearing loss happens when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. These hair cells do not regenerate or grow back, so any hearing loss is irreversible.
The following are some causes of hearing loss:
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
- Using headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- The risk of hearing loss is increased by smoking.
- Specific medical disorders including diabetes can result in hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud noise frequently over long time periods.
- Certain medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a hard time hearing soft voices, children’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background sound, and a general lack of clarity when someone speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other indicators of hearing loss include regularly needing people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to crank the volume up on the TV.
The importance of treating age-related hearing loss
Quality of life will be negatively impacted by untreated hearing loss. Anxiousness, depression, despair, social withdrawal, jeopardized relationships, and an increased risk of developing dementia are all ways that untreated hearing loss can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
These problems can, to a great degree, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with strategies like hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is extreme, sign language.
Suffering with age-related hearing loss isn’t something that anyone should have to do. You can still live a full and enjoyable life.
If you or somebody you love is coping with hearing loss, contact us today to schedule a hearing assessment!
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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