Which Hearing Loss is Progressive and Associated With Aging

Hearing loss often happens gradually. It can be hard to distinguish when an individual is experiencing it. As we get older, age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, becomes a common problem.

Statistics show that one in three adults over age 65 has some level of hearing loss that varies from mild to profound. At first, presbycusis will affect the person’s ability to hear high-pitched noises but can worsen over time, making it challenging to distinguish everyday conversations. However, the gradual changes in their hearing can make it difficult to pinpoint when treatment is needed.

Follow along as El Dorado Hearing outlines the causes of age-related hearing loss and the warning signs to look out for so you can confidently undergo a hearing test when the time is right. We’re here to help you diagnose the problem and provide a recommended treatment plan to restore your hearing.

Causes of age-related hearing loss

Although age-related hearing loss may occur because of just that — their age — there are other causes. Age-related hearing loss can be caused or worsened by environmental factors, genetics, diseases, and medication types.

• Environmental – If the individual has had excessive exposure to loud noises, such as loud music or a noisy workplace, they may experience presbycusis due to environmental causes. Loud environments such as concerts, construction, traffic, lawn tools, and more can harm their hearing.
• Genetics – While environmental factors play a role in presbycusis, it can also be hereditary. Genetic factors can lead to ear damage that causes them to experience problems with their hearing as they get older.
• Diseases – Hearing loss can be brought on by other conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and smoking due to deteriorating the health of the hair cells within the ear.
• Medication – Some medications such as antibiotics, aspirin, and chemotherapy have resulted in damage to the ear by damaging the nerves within, causing the individual to experience presbycusis.

Warning signs of age-related hearing loss

Whether you are experiencing the early signs of age-related hearing loss or you suspect another individual is, it’s important to be aware of the signs so you can get treatment to make hearing more efficient.

Look out for the following symptoms of age-related hearing loss:

• Constantly asking others to repeat themselves
• Conversations sound muffled or slurred
• Turning up the radio or television to unusually loud levels
• High-pitched sounds, such as “s” or “th,” are hard to distinguish
• Constant ringing in one or both of the ears, known as tinnitus
• Conversations are hard to understand in loud environments
• Distortion of sounds or misinterpretation of words
• Difficulty hearing high frequencies

Symptoms of hearing loss may present themselves as another condition at first, which is why it’s important to see if the individual is experiencing a few of these symptoms, indicating age-related hearing loss.

Schedule a hearing test with El Dorado Hearing of Tucson, AZ

To assist in managing your hearing loss, we provide complete hearing evaluations at El Dorado Hearing. Our hearing specialists are highly experienced and provide you with an in-depth hearing assessment to evaluate whether you have hearing loss and the extent to which the loss affects you.

For personalized hearing testing in Tucson, AZ, make El Dorado Hearing of Tucson first on your list. We strive to make our hearing offices comfortable where everyone feels welcome.

If you are ready to regain control of your hearing, visit us at one of our hearing clinics. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our caring and expert hearing specialists!