Hearing Loss Related to Normal Aging: What You Need to Know

Hearing loss is a common problem that affects many older adults. It can have a significant impact on your quality of life, communication, and social interactions. In this article, we will explain what causes hearing loss related to normal aging, how to diagnose it, and what treatments are available.

What is hearing loss related to normal aging?

Hearing loss related to normal aging is also known as presbycusis. It is a gradual and progressive loss of hearing that occurs in both ears as you grow older. It usually affects the ability to hear high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of women and children, and background noises. It can also make it hard to understand speech, especially in noisy environments.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing, and about one in three people in the U.S. between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss. Nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.

What causes hearing loss related to normal aging?

Hearing loss related to normal aging is caused by various changes in the inner ear, the nerve of hearing, and the brain that occur as you age. These changes include:

  • Changes in the structures of the inner ear, such as the loss of sensory cells, the stiffening of the membranes, and the degeneration of the cochlea.
  • Changes in blood flow to the ear, which can affect the oxygen and nutrient supply to the inner ear.
  • Impairment in the nerves responsible for hearing, which can reduce the transmission of sound signals to the brain.
  • Changes in the way that the brain processes speech and sound, which can affect the perception and interpretation of sounds.

Hearing loss related to normal aging can also be influenced by other factors, such as:

  • Exposure to loud noises, which can damage the inner ear and the nerve of hearing over time.
  • Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases, which can affect the blood flow and the health of the ear.
  • Certain medications, such as some chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs, which can be toxic to the inner ear and the nerve of hearing.
  • Family history of hearing loss, which can indicate a genetic predisposition to hearing loss.
  • Smoking, which can impair the blood flow and the oxygen supply to the ear.

How to diagnose hearing loss related to normal aging?

If you have symptoms of hearing loss related to normal aging, such as difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, speech, or background noises, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and look inside your ears with an otoscope to rule out other causes of hearing loss, such as earwax, infection, or injury. Your doctor may also refer you to a hearing specialist called an audiologist, who can perform a hearing test to measure your hearing ability and determine the type and degree of hearing loss.

A hearing test, also known as an audiogram, involves listening to different sounds at different frequencies and volumes through headphones and indicating when you hear them. The audiologist will record the results on a graph that shows your hearing threshold, or the softest sound you can hear, at each frequency. A normal hearing threshold is between 0 and 25 decibels (dB). A hearing loss is considered mild if the threshold is between 26 and 40 dB, moderate if between 41 and 55 dB, moderately severe if between 56 and 70 dB, severe if between 71 and 90 dB, and profound if above 91 dB.

What treatments are available for hearing loss related to normal aging?

There is no cure for hearing loss related to normal aging, but there are treatments and devices that can help you hear better and improve your quality of life. Depending on the type and degree of your hearing loss, your doctor or audiologist may recommend:

  • Hearing aids, which are electronic devices that amplify the sounds you want to hear and reduce the background noises. Hearing aids come in different styles, sizes, and features, and they can be customized to fit your needs and preferences. You may need one or two hearing aids, depending on your hearing loss in each ear. Hearing aids can improve your ability to hear speech, music, and other sounds, as well as your communication and social interactions.
  • Assistive devices, such as telephone amplifiers, TV listening systems, alerting devices, and captioning services, which can help you hear and understand sounds from different sources and situations. Assistive devices can be used alone or in combination with hearing aids to enhance your hearing experience and accessibility.
  • Cochlear implants, which are surgically implanted devices that bypass the damaged parts of the inner ear and stimulate the nerve of hearing directly. Cochlear implants consist of an external part that captures and processes sound, and an internal part that delivers electrical signals to the nerve of hearing. Cochlear implants can restore some hearing ability to people with severe to profound hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids. However, cochlear implants are not suitable for everyone and require a thorough evaluation and a long-term commitment to follow-up and rehabilitation.
  • Hearing rehabilitation, which is a program that helps you adjust to your hearing loss and learn how to use your hearing devices and assistive devices effectively. Hearing rehabilitation may include counseling, education, training, and support from professionals, such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and psychologists, as well as from your family and friends. Hearing rehabilitation can help you cope with the emotional and social aspects of hearing loss, improve your communication skills, and enhance your quality of life.

How to prevent hearing loss related to normal aging?

Although you cannot prevent hearing loss related to normal aging entirely, you can take some steps to protect your hearing and delay the onset and progression of hearing loss. These steps include:

  • Avoiding exposure to loud noises, such as music, machinery, fireworks, guns, and motorcycles, which can damage your hearing over time. If you cannot avoid loud noises, you should limit the duration and frequency of exposure and wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect your ears.
  • Getting regular hearing check-ups, especially if you are over 50 years old, have a family history of hearing loss, or have other risk factors for hearing loss. Early detection and treatment of hearing loss can prevent further damage and improve your hearing outcomes.
  • Managing your health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases, which can affect your hearing. You should follow your doctor’s advice and take your medications as prescribed to control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
  • Avoiding medications that can harm your hearing, such as some chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs, unless they are absolutely necessary. You should consult your doctor before taking any new medications and inform them of any hearing problems you may have.
  • Quitting smoking, which can impair your blood flow and oxygen supply to your ears. Smoking can also increase your risk of ear infections, tinnitus, and other ear problems that can affect your hearing.
  • Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, which can improve your overall health and well-being, as well as your blood circulation and oxygen delivery to your ears.

Conclusion

Hearing loss related to normal aging is a common and gradual condition that affects many older adults. It can have a significant impact on your quality of life, communication, and social interactions. However, there are treatments and devices that can help you hear better and improve your quality of life. You can also take some steps to protect your hearing and delay the onset and progression of hearing loss. If you have any symptoms or concerns about your hearing, you should see your doctor or audiologist for a diagnosis and treatment. Remember, hearing loss related to normal aging is not a sign of weakness or a reason to isolate yourself. It is a manageable condition that you can overcome with the right support and care.