Old age comes with various challenges related to health, including hearing loss, one of the most common health issues at this stage. Most of the time, people can not realise they have a hearing issue as it is a gradual process at this age. This blog article sheds light on the concept of age-related hearing loss while discussing its common causes and symptoms. The best treatment is also presented here briefly.
What is age-related hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss, is decreasing listening capacity with age, is also known as presbycusis. Usually, people aged 65 to 74 suffer from hearing issues. It is a natural health complication related to age. In this health issue, it is troublesome to hear sounds in high frequency range.
What is the most common cause of age-related hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss happens due to :
- Damage in the cells of the inner ear
- Problem in the middle ear
- Damaged hair cells
- Complications in the pathways of the auditory nerve
- Besides those health-related problems, there can be other factors such as:
- Loud sound exposure
- Genetic problem
- Diabetes
- Infection
What are the symptoms of age-related hearing loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss depend on their health condition and daily habits. The common symptoms have been discussed here:
- The sound of speech seems to be slurred
- Difficult to listen to high-pitched sounds
- Unable to participate in social conversations
- Unable to listen to the sound of speech in a noisy area
- A male voice becomes easier to listen to than a female’s
- Buzzing sound or Tinnitus
How is age-related hearing loss diagnosed?
The first step of hearing treatment is a proper diagnosis by an efficient audiologist. Your health care provider will suggest the following steps to detect the causes of hearing issues:
Pure tone audiometry test – An Audiologist may follow the procedure with multiple steps to detect the cause of the hearing issue. They suggest a pure tone audiometry test to check the hearing ability of the ears.
Otoscope- The Doctor will check the eardrum, ear canal with the help of an otoscope for finding the root cause, such as infection, swelling, and fluid accumulation in the ear. Several screening tests can also be suggested by your health care provider to detect the factor responsible for hearing loss.
As per a study report, globally, about 1.5 billion people suffer from age-related hearing loss by 2025.
According to a survey, hearing loss can be observed in about 63 million people after the age of 70.
What is the best treatment for hearing loss?
Your wealth care provider will recommend the best treatment after assessing your health condition, range of hearing loss, age, and symptoms. Treatment for the age-related hearing loss is discussed here:
Hearing Aids
It helps to intensify the sound used by a person with hearing issues. Various hearing aids are designed for different complications. Your doctor will recommend the most suitable one as per your needs.
Cochlear Implant
Having a cochlear implant fitted by an audiologist can be an effective treatment for a person with profound hearing loss. In this surgery, a device is placed inside the inner ear.
Can you live a normal life with hearing loss?
Yes, you can live easily with hearing aids, but you need to visit the following specialists frequently :
Audiologist
A specialist to check hearing issues through several tests and suggest the proper treatment.
Otolaryngologist
Health care providers treat the ear, nose, and throat-related problems, also known as ENT.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a common problem among most senior citizens across the country. Usually, it occurs due to infection, damage to hair cells, swelling, and damage to the Auditory nerve. Finding difficulty listening to sounds with high frequency, the sound of the voice, and Tinnitus are the common symptoms of age-related hearing issues. Your doctor will help you choose the most suitable hearing aid to communicate with the surrounding world. You need to contact an audiologist to avoid any further hearing complications.
If you find it difficult to communicate with your family members and friends, then contact a specialist at Aural Care, the most trusted hearing solution providing clinic in Kolkata. Our team of specialists tests the severity of your hearing ability through advanced tests. Our standardized test reports and latest technology-based hearing aids are essential for restoring your listening capacity.
Contact us today to enjoy a natural hearing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to lose hearing with age?
A: Yes, it is quite normal to have a hearing issue at old age. Gradually, with increasing age, hair cells can be damaged.
What age is most at risk for hearing loss?
A: Hearing complications with increasing age are mostly found in people between 45 to 70 years of age.
How common is hearing loss at my age?
A: As per the survey of the National Health and Nutrition Examination, it has been found that 22% people between 65-74 and 55% people over 75 years experience hearing issues.
What are the first signs of hearing loss?
A: Difficulty listening to the speech sound in crowded places, and watching TV at a high volume are signs of hearing loss.
What deficiency causes hearing loss?
A: Vitamin B12, Vitamin E are essential for nerve function as well as bone health of the ear. Lack of Magnesium and Zinc is essential to avoid tinnitus.
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