Age-related hearing loss is very common among seniors and older adults. Because of its gradual onset, it is often hard to recognize that age-related hearing loss is occurring. Here is some helpful information and important facts which will give you a better understanding of age-related hearing loss and how it can affect either you or the ones you love.
What is Age-Related Hearing Loss?
Presbycusis, better known as age-related hearing loss, is the gradual loss of hearing which occurs as we grow older. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions that affect older adults and seniors. This type of hearing loss usually affects both ears equally.
According to the National Institute of Health, approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.
There are many factors that play a role in the loss of hearing, but the most common cause is the changes within the inner ear as we age. This can be coupled with noise-induced hearing loss, which is caused by prolonged exposure to sounds that are either too loud or last too long.
How Hearing Loss Can Affect Our Loved Ones
Age-related hearing loss can bring on feelings of frustration for the sufferer and their family and friends. It is common for older adults to have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds such as sirens and children’s voices and even more common to have difficulty hearing conversations over the sound of background noise.
These struggles can make group interactions both frustrating and embarrassing. Commonly, the person struggling with hearing loss simply chooses to withdraw from social settings all together.
Hearing loss can also be mistaken for forgetfulness, confusion or dementia. It is important to go over the following list of questions and then discuss the answers with a doctor or hearing specialist.
Questions to Ask Yourself or a Loved One About Hearing Loss
- Is it difficult for you to have a one-on-one conversation is a semi-crowded room?
- Do you have difficulty hearing the other person when talking on the phone?
- Are you often asking people to repeat themselves?
- Do you feel like others mumble or talk softly?
- Do you choose to forgo social settings you know will be “too noisy”?
- Do you find yourself turning up the TV or music to levels that cause others to complain?
- Have you had trouble hearing an alarm clock, smoke alarm or police siren?
The answers to these questions should be discussed with a medical professional. A trusted doctor can work with you and give referrals to the right specialists to determine if there is hearing loss and take the next steps to finding a solution. There are many advances in technology and they can improve the quality of life for hearing loss sufferers.