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How to Prevent Age-Related Hearing Loss: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment, Protection
The hearing loss that people experience as they age is called age-related hearing impairment or age-related deafness. Nothing stays the same as we get older. Our bones shrink, our vision diminishes, and likewise, our hearing declines.
This is hearing loss associated with normal aging; people begin to lose their hearing after age 40, and for some people, it gets worse over time. Age-related hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss among older adults and usually occurs after age 65. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about one-third of adults suffer hearing loss up to age 75 because they are between the ages of 65.
Symptoms of Age-Related Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss usually lasts for many years, so it can be difficult to detect until it begins to affect a person's daily life. People with age-related hearing loss first experience a decrease in their ability to hear high-frequency sounds, such as the beeping or ringing of a cell phone. Because children's voices are high, it is more difficult for the elderly to hear children.
Some other symptoms of age-related hearing loss include
Increasing the volume of the television or radio.
Difficulty understanding presentations in noisy, crowded places such as social gatherings, meetings, and restaurants.
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing) in one or both ears
Difficulty understanding speech with background noise
Difficulty hearing and understanding the same pronounced consonants, such as p, b, etc.
Problems making phone calls
Inability to hear everyday noises, such as the humming of birds, the beeping of a microwave oven, the sound of a fan, etc.
Asking people to repeat themselves
Causes of age-related hearing loss
Hearing loss occurs gradually with age and therefore usually goes unnoticed for a period of time. As we age, our hearing and other senses begin to deteriorate. Some people may just have some difficulty hearing, others may experience age-related hearing loss, and some may lose more of their hearing than others.
Hearing loss in old age is usually caused by many physical, genetic, health and lifestyle factors.
As we age, changes occur in the inner ear; for example, the structure of the inner ear, the nerves responsible for hearing, and how the brain processes sound. Inner ear hair cells cannot regenerate or regenerate, so damage to these cells is permanent, which is one of the main causes of hearing loss in older adults.
Genetic factors or a family history of hearing loss can also affect the severity of hearing loss, the likelihood of hearing loss occurring, and the age at which it may begin.
Some diseases responsible for supplying blood to the ear may also contribute to age-related hearing loss, such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Medications for these diseases may also be ototoxic.
Environmental factors, such as prolonged exposure to loud noise, smoking, and regular exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, can also play a role in the development of age-related hearing loss.
How is age-related hearing loss treated?
Treatment for age-related hearing loss depends on the severity of your hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss is primarily treated with digital modern hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify sound to get better hearing. chosgohearing offers different types of hearing aids, so you can choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and needs. Hearing aids are considered to be the most beneficial treatment for hearing loss.
How can I improve my hearing in old age? - Treatment for hearing loss.
Cochlear implants are another type of hearing aid that is surgically placed behind the ear. They stimulate the auditory nerve to help with hearing. Cochlear implants are used to treat severe or profound hearing loss.
Assistive listening devices such as telephone and television amplifiers are also recommended to improve your hearing.
Risk Factors for Age-Related Hearing Loss
Although age-related hearing loss is common, it should not be considered a "part of getting older". Hearing stimulates and helps the brain function, and untreated hearing loss can have a significant impact on your mental health. Depression, social isolation and anxiety often follow this condition. Cognitive abilities such as memory and thinking skills also tend to decline more rapidly in people with hearing loss. Studies show that untreated hearing loss in adults, especially older adults, puts them at risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as other physical and emotional problems. Untreated hearing loss can also pose safety threats, such as the inability to hear smoke alarms or respond to warnings. The inability to hear properly can also make it difficult to understand important information, such as financial or legal information.
The sooner you receive treatment for your hearing loss, the better for your brain.
Living with age-related hearing loss
Hearing loss in old age is progressive. It can get worse over time, and living with age-related hearing loss is not easy. But the support of your loved ones can make the road smoother. Talk to people about your hearing loss and ask for their help when communication difficulties arise. If you have difficulty hearing, then one of the first steps you can take is to get a hearing test. You can use your smartphone at home and download the My Hearing app from chosgohearing. It will tell you if you do have hearing loss, and then you can learn more about treatments for hearing loss, such as hearing aids. There are different treatments and preventive measures you can take to delay hearing loss. Most people can lead a healthy life with proper treatment for hearing loss.
Although age-related hearing loss cannot be cured, proper treatment can improve the quality of life.
Age-Related Hearing Loss Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do you begin to lose your hearing?
Statistically, hearing begins to deteriorate after age 40, but does not necessarily progress to hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss usually occurs after the age of 60 and can worsen over time if proper treatment is not provided.
How can I prevent hearing loss in old age?
Age-related hearing loss cannot be prevented, but you can reduce the risk of your hearing loss getting worse. You can take the following steps to protect your hearing
Avoid noisy environments such as stadiums and concerts, lower the volume of your TV, manage health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and use ear muffs or noise-canceling headphones.