Does hearing loss worsen as you get older? Hearing loss is a common gradually progressing condition that affects 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 get older is generally known as presbycusis. There is no one definitive cause for this to happen, but it is usually considered to be a combination of many factors.
As we age, our ears go through changes. There are little hair cells in our inner ear that help us to hear. They pick up sound waves and translate them into nerve signals that our brain uses to interpret sound.
The onset of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Hearing loss that is the consequence of damage to these hairs is irreversible as these hairs never restore.
The following are a few causes of hearing loss:
- Hearing loss can be the outcome of several medical disorders, including diabetes.
- The risk of hearing loss is raised by smoking.
- Exposure to loud sound consistently over long time periods.
- Particular medications including chemotherapy drugs increase the risk.
- Wearing headphones when listening to loud music can increase the risk.
- Heredity plays a factor in hearing loss.
Some typical symptoms of age-related hearing loss
When you have a tough time hearing soft voices, kid’s voices, voices when there is a lot of background noise, and a general lack of resolution when someone speaks are all symptoms of Presbycusis.
Other signs of hearing loss include regularly asking people to repeat what they said, ringing in the ears, and needing to turn the volume up on the TV.
Treating age-related hearing loss is important
Quality of life will be negatively impacted by neglected hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is connected to depression, despair, stress, cognitive decline, poor social relationships, and the risk of dementia.
These issues can, to a great degree, be avoided by getting your hearing loss treated with solutions like hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, lip reading, a cochlear implant, or if your hearing loss is extreme, sign language.
No one should suffer with age-related hearing loss. You can still have a full and enjoyable life.
Consult with us today to schedule your hearing test and to go over 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