Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) is the gradual loss of hearing in both ears. Hearing loss due to aging is a common condition that impacts many older adults. Almost 1 in 2 adults over age 65 experience some degree of hearing loss.
Causes of Age-related Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss occurs gradually over time. Various changes in the inner ear can cause the condition. These include:
changes in the structures of the inner ear
changes in blood flow to the ear
impairment in the nerves responsible for hearing
changes in the way that the brain processes speech and sound
damage to the tiny hairs in the ear that are responsible for transmitting sound to the brain
Age-related hearing loss can also be caused by other issues, including:
diabetes
poor circulation
exposure to loud noises
use of certain medications
history of hearing loss
smoking
Symptoms of Age-related Hearing Loss
Symptoms of age-related hearing loss typically begin with an inability to hear high-pitched sounds. You may also have difficulty hearing background noises or difficulty hearing others speak clearly.
Other symptoms that may occur include:
certain sounds seeming overly loud
difficulty hearing in areas that are noisy
ringing in the ears
turning up the volume on the television or radio louder than normal
asking people to repeat themselves
being unable to understand conversations over the telephone
Always notify your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. They could be signs of other medical conditions and should be checked out by a doctor.
Hearing Loss Treatment
If you have symptoms of age-related hearing loss, see your doctor to diagnose your condition. The audiologist can perform a hearing test to help determine how much hearing loss has occurred. doctor may recommend:
hearing aids to help you hear better
assistive devices, such as telephone amplifiers
lessons in sign language or lip reading (for severe hearing loss)
You may also consider treatment to prevent the depression, anxiety, and social isolation that often occur with this condition.
Preventing Hearing Loss
You may not be able prevent age-related hearing loss. However, you can take steps to keep it from getting worse. If you experience age-related hearing loss, try these tips:
Avoid repetitive exposure to loud sounds.
Wear ear protection in places where there are loud sounds.
Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Seek prompt help from your doctor if you develop symptoms of age-related hearing loss
At Vr Speech And Hearing Loss Clinic, our highly skilled staff of physicians and care providers is dedicated to your personal care. We offer a wide array of services, treating everything from routine ear infections to complex head and neck surgery with the most sophisticated, state-of-the art treatments available today.
