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Contents
  • What Exactly is Presbycusis?
  • Who's at Risk?
  • Recognizing the Signs
  • Beyond Just Hearing

Is Your Hearing Fading? Understanding Age-Related Hearing Loss

Is Your Hearing Fading? Understanding Age-Related Hearing Loss

The Silent Epidemic

Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, affects millions of older adults worldwide. This common condition can have a major impact on quality of life, but many people don't realize they have it.
Contents
  • What Exactly is Presbycusis?
  • Who's at Risk?
  • Recognizing the Signs
  • Beyond Just Hearing

What Exactly is Presbycusis?

Presbycusis is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people get older. It typically affects both ears equally and progresses slowly over many years. The condition makes it especially difficult to hear high-pitched sounds, including many consonants in speech. This can make it hard to understand what people are saying, even if you can hear that they are speaking.

Who's at Risk?

While age is the primary risk factor, other things can increase your chances of developing presbycusis. These include genetics, exposure to loud noises, certain medications, and health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Men tend to be affected more than women, possibly due to higher rates of noise exposure over their lifetimes.
Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is a gradual loss of hearing in both ears occurring as people age. It affects the ability to hear high-pitched sounds, making it difficult to understand speech.

Recognizing the Signs

Presbycusis develops gradually, so the signs can be subtle at first. You might find yourself asking people to repeat themselves more often, especially in noisy environments. Many people report that others seem to mumble or that they can hear but not understand speech. Turning up the TV volume and having trouble hearing on the phone are also common signs.

Beyond Just Hearing

Age-related hearing loss can affect more than just your ears. It's associated with social isolation, depression, and even cognitive decline. Some people experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or balance problems. Recognizing and addressing hearing loss early can help prevent these additional complications.

FAQs

At what age does presbycusis typically start?

It often begins in your 50s or 60s.

Can presbycusis be prevented?

While aging can't be stopped, protecting your hearing can help.

Is presbycusis reversible?

Currently, there's no cure, but treatments can help significantly.

Does presbycusis affect both ears?

Yes, it typically affects both ears symmetrically.

How common is presbycusis?

It affects over half of adults by age 75.

Don't Ignore the Signs

If you suspect you might have age-related hearing loss, it's important to get your hearing checked by a professional.
Ready to learn more about your hearing health? Chat with Doctronic, the AI doctor, to discuss your concerns and next steps.
Additional References
  1. Gates GA, Mills JH. Presbycusis. Lancet 2005; 366:1111.
  2. Lin FR. Age-Related Hearing Loss. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:1505.
  3. Tsai Do BS, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170 Suppl 2:S1.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.