Age-related hearing loss, medically known as presbycusis, is incredibly common, affecting nearly half of all adults over 75. This gradual decline in hearing comes with ageing but when does it become a problem impacting daily life? Knowing the signs and when to get hearing tests can help catch and treat presbycusis early before it worsens. This article explores what causes age-related hearing loss, its subtle symptoms to look out for, and when you should schedule a hearing evaluation. We’ll also briefly cover the latest treatment options like hearing aids and implants to help regain brighter, clearer hearing.
What Causes Age-Related Hearing Loss?
Age-related hearing loss is caused by changes to the inner ear and auditory nerves as we get older. Some of the key factors that contribute to presbycusis include:
- Loss of hair cells in the inner ear that pick up sound vibrations
- Stiffening of the basilar membrane where hair cells are located
- Changes to neurons in the auditory nerves
This damage accumulates slowly over many years and eventually degrades your hearing sensitivity, especially for high-pitched sounds. Genetics, noise exposure, smoking, and other health factors can also play a role.
Early Signs and Symptoms
In the early stages, age-related hearing loss usually causes very subtle signs and symptoms. Some of the first indications you may notice include:
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds like women’s and children’s voices
- Trouble understanding speech in noisy environments like restaurants
- Frequently needing to ask others to repeat themselves
- Turning up the volume higher than needed on devices and the TV
- Thinking others are mumbling when they speak
As the condition progresses, you may also have trouble hearing some consonant sounds like “s”, “f”, and “th”. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) often accompanies age-related hearing loss as well.
When to Get Your Hearing Tested
It’s recommended to start getting regular hearing tests done as a baseline once you reach 50 years old. You should also get your hearing evaluated if you notice any of the symptoms listed above or if a family member comments on your difficulty hearing.
Some key times to consider a hearing test include:
- Your 50th birthday or 60th birthday
- When you retire, since hearing ability impacts socialization
- If you find yourself withdrawing from social situations due to hearing difficulties
- If a doctor examines your ears and suspects hearing loss
- If you’ve been exposed to loud noise through work or hobbies
A hearing care professional can conduct various tests to evaluate your ability to hear different sound frequencies and volumes. This allows them to identify any early warning signs of age-related decline.
Hearing Aids and Other Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with age-related hearing loss, hearing aids are often an effective treatment option. Hearing aids amplify sounds coming into your ears to counteract your hearing deficit. Modern digital hearing aids can be specifically programmed for your level of hearing loss.
Other treatment options may include:
- Cochlear implants for severe to profound hearing loss
- Assistive listening devices like TV ears and headphones
- Speech therapy to help improve communication
- Learning lip reading skills
- Removing earwax blockages
Find out more about hearing aids & hearing tests in Bangor here. The key is not to delay seeking help for your hearing health. Treating age-related hearing loss can reduce its impacts on your quality of life and mental well-being.
Noticing early signs of age-related hearing loss and promptly seeking hearing tests allows you to take steps to address the problem before it becomes more severe. Get your hearing evaluated regularly after age 50 and be proactive about managing your hearing health as you get older. With the right treatment, you can minimize the effects of presbycusis on your daily communication and enjoyment of life.
