Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a gradual and progressive type of hearing loss that occurs as people get older.
How Many Older Adults Experience Hearing Loss? 
According to data compiled by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), nearly 25 percent of those aged 65 to 74 and 50 percent of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.
Additional research indicates that, in the United States, the prevalence of hearing loss doubles with every 10-year increase in age.
Why Does Hearing Loss Increase With Age?
Age-related hearing loss is considered sensorineural. This means that hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. As we get older, damage to these areas is more likely due to factors such as:
- Aging process
- Regular exposure to loud noise
- Taking certain medications that can damage the ears
- Having a medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes that can affect the blood vessels in the inner ear
- Family history of hearing loss
Don’t Ignore Age-related Hearing Loss
Just because hearing loss becomes more common as you age does not mean that you just have to accept it. Left untreated, hearing loss can have negative effects on all aspects of your life:
- You may start to feel anxious about missing important information during work meetings or find yourself having difficulty concentrating when communicating with others.
- Hearing loss can affect your ability to understand speech. This increases misunderstandings and makes it difficult to communicate with your loved ones. Activities like birthday parties or going out to dinner with friends at The Marina Lodge goes from being fun to feeling overwhelming and stressful.
- Untreated hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of various health problems, including anxiety, depression, balance problems and even cognitive decline and dementia.
Treatment With Hearing Aids Can Help
If you are concerned about the impact hearing loss is having on your life, schedule an appointment for a hearing test today. These quick and painless evaluations give your audiologist immediate insight into the type and severity of your hearing loss.
Hearing aids are the most common form of hearing aid treatment. If your audiologist decides they are right for you, they will work with you to determine which model best meets your needs and will offer support throughout your hearing health journey.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Nelson Hearing Clinics today.
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