Age-Related Hearing Loss Explained

Hearing loss is common with age, affecting one-third of people over 65. Among people 75 and older, 40-50% have hearing loss.

For most, age-related hearing loss - called presbycusis (pres-bih-KU-sis) - occurs gradually as part of the general wear and tear of aging. People often adapt to slight hearing loss without fully realizing that they're doing so. Volume levels may creep up while listening to the radio or watching TV. Smaller gatherings or one-on-one conversations in quieter settings may be more enjoyable.

Sound Mix
Presbycusis usually affects both ears equally. Age-related hearing loss is most commonly associated with changes in the inner ear. In most instances, those changes involve loss of some of the tiny receptor hair cells found in the snail-shaped cochlea. in addition, your brain may not interpret sounds as quickly as it once did.

Age-related hearing loss tends to run in families, although the degree of the problem varies. Other possible factors include:

• The cumulative effect of loud noise - repetitive or long exposures to sounds over a lifetime, such as gunshots, loud music or machinery - can gradually affect your ability to hear.
• Medications - some drugs can potentially h arm your hearing mechanism, often on a permanent basis, and can be monitored by your prescribing doctor. Among the most commonly cited is the intravenous antibiotic gentamicin (typically used in hospital setting for severe infection), the chemotherapy agent cisplatin and some types of diuretic drugs, such as furosemide (Lasix).

With presbycusis, your ability to hear high-pitched sounds is usually affected first. Often that's because damage occurs first to tiny hair cells at high frequency locations inside the inner ear's cochlea. As a result, you may miss or confuse sounds in speech, such as "s" or "th" or "fff." You might notice that the speech of women and children is more difficult to understand. 

Sometimes, people with presbycusis may find loud noises or sounds especially annoying,. Age-related hearing loss may also be accompanied by ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus).

If you suspect you have a hearing loss, or your family tells you you have a problem, call us at 419-534-3111 to schedule a complete test. Remember, "Better Hearing Means Better Living."