Presbycusis: An Overview of Age-Related Hearing Loss and Challenges
Presbycusis is a term for a fairly common problem: age-related hearing loss.
Don’t let the big name scare you. There are plenty of things you can do to continue to enjoy your daily life once you get diagnosed.
Let’s learn more about what presbycusis is, what causes it, and how you can help manage it.
Age-Related Hearing Loss: What Is Presbycusis?
Presbycusis is a type of hearing loss that occurs as people age. According to the National Institute of Health, about 33% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 suffer from hearing loss, and that number rises to 50% in people 75 or older.
As you grow older, you may notice that some sounds become quieter or less clear. This can make in-person conversations, phone calls, and watching your favorite shows more difficult. Presbycusis could be the cause.
Primary Causes of Presbycusis and Hearing Decline
There isn’t one primary cause of presbycusis. There are several different reasons why your hearing might not be as strong as it used to be. Let’s look at some of the reasons for this specific type of hearing loss in seniors.
Natural Aging Process
As we age, our bodies change, including our ears. Age-related hearing loss is a natural part of getting older.
Genetic Factors
Sometimes, hearing loss can run in your family. If a parent or grandparent suffered from hearing loss or experienced a sudden loss of hearing at age 70, there’s a chance you may experience it, too. This is because hearing loss can be passed down as a genetic trait within a family, just like eye or hair color.
Noise Exposure Over Time
The more you expose yourself to loud noises, like fireworks or live music, the more likely you are to damage your hearing. This damage can build up over time and result in presbycusis hearing loss.
Underlying Health Conditions
Since all of our body’s systems are connected, other health conditions could potentially affect our hearing. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or stroke can often play a role in age-related hearing loss.
Recognizing the Symptoms and Early Signs of Presbycusis
If you want to manage presbycusis, it’s important to recognize the symptoms early. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Asking people to repeat themselves often
- Turning up the television louder than usual
- Not hearing the phone ring
- Suffering from tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a hearing checkup with a hearing care professional.
How Is Presbycusis Diagnosed?
Presbycusis can be diagnosed by either your primary care doctor or an audiologist. During your primary care visit, your doctor will check your ears for damage, inflammation, swelling, or an infection.
An audiologist may conduct a special hearing test in which you listen for beeps at different frequencies. This test helps assess the health of your hearing.
Best Presbycusis Treatment Solutions and Management Strategies
While presbycusis isn’t curable, there are ways to manage it and improve your quality of life. Let’s explore some of your best options for living a happy life with age-related hearing loss.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids fit in or around your ears and amplify sounds, making them easier to hear. Your doctor can help you find the right type of hearing aid for your needs.
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices, such as live captioning for televisions or caption phones, can help you better understand conversations. These devices display captions in near real-time so that you can read along with spoken words on an attached screen.
Cochlear Implants
For more severe cases, a doctor may recommend cochlear implants. Instead of being worn on the outside of the body, like hearing aids, these implants are surgically placed inside the ear to help hear sounds more clearly.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Small changes in your daily lifestyle can also make a big difference in your hearing health. For example, finding quiet places to have conversations and eating more healthy foods can help improve your hearing.
Preventing Age-Related Hearing Loss in Seniors
Even though some hearing loss is natural or genetic, there are still ways that you can protect your hearing health.
Wearing earplugs in noisy places, living a healthy lifestyle with a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods, and receiving regular check-ups can help keep your hearing strong and healthy for years to come.
Hearing aids, helpful devices, and new habits can make a big difference when hearing changes with age. If sounds seem softer than before, don’t wait to get help. Talking to a hearing care professional early on is important. With the right support, you can keep enjoying conversations with loved ones and the everyday sounds that bring you joy.
