Age-related hearing loss is when a person loses the ability to hear from both ears slowly. It is also known as presbycusis. It seems to be ordinary because of aging. The natural phenomenon of aging causes many health issues in which hearing loss is one of the most influential. It can be generational and inherited as well. People whose ancestors have hearing loss problems are more vulnerable to lose their hearing capacity.
Causes of Presbycusis
There are many factors affecting the ability to hear as a person gets aged. Let’s explore the causes of age-related hearing loss.
- Long-term exposure to noise in adulthood leads to severe hearing problems in the late 50s.
- Some people get it because of their poor health conditions, such as diabetes patients or heart disease patients are more prone to lose their hearing ability.
- Inherited factors and aging are on the lead of this problem for presbycusis.
- Sometimes the side effect of medicines become the reason for age-related hearing loss, such as aspirin, antibiotics, or chemotherapy medicines.
- Infections and smoking have their own effects on hearing capacity.
- The loss of sensory hair cells has a harmful effect on hearing ability, especially in the late 50s or 60s.
Symptoms of Presbycusis
Every diseases or illness come with its symptoms to warn the person to go for a medical checkup. One should never ignore these signs and symptoms for any problem, as they can worsen if left untreated. The symptoms for age-related hearing loss vary from person to person. Here are few symptoms that should not be ignored for hearing loss.
- Mumbled or slurred sound
- Sound seems annoying
- Can’t be able to detect high pitch sounds
- Continuous ringing (tinnitus) in both ears
- Trouble while talking and understanding the conversation
- Loud and phantom sounds undeviatingly travel to the middle of the mind that leads to headaches
Diagnosis of Age-Related Hearing Loss
When you go to your audiologist, they use an otoscope to look at the eardrum and check the outer ear canal. The damage to the eardrum, ear canal blockage, infection, or inflammation can help the doctor diagnose your condition and suggest accordingly.
Treatment for Age-Related Hearing Loss
Usually, the treatment depends upon the symptoms and diagnosis of the condition, age, and health. Doctors suggest
- Hearing aid or assisting devices to amplify sounds
- Non-verbal cue training
- Prevent ear wax by various methods
- Cochlear implants for severe condition
- Medicines to eat to reduce inflammation
Prevention for Age-Related Hearing Loss
Prevention on time can help the condition not to get worse. It is crucial to follow preventions at a young age, so you don’t need to suffer from hearing loss at your old age. Here are some ways to prevent hearing loss.
- When you use headphones, keep the volume moderate so it can not directly affect the inner side of your hearing.
- Avoid loud noises and avoid going to a noisy environment such as the voice of lawnmowers, snowmobiles, firearms, and leaf blowers can badly impact your hearing capacity.
There are fluid-filled ear muffs available in the market, and try to use them to prevent more hearing damage.