What is age-related hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss also called presbycusis, is hearing loss that occurs gradually for many of us as we grow older. It is one of the most common conditions affecting adults as we age. Approximately 25%-50% of Indian Older adults aged 60 years and above have hearing loss. Nearly half of those older than 75 and above have difficulty in hearing.
Having trouble in hearing can make it hard to communicate with family and friends, respond to warnings, and phones calls, doorbells, and alarms. Hearing loss can also make it hard to enjoy talking with family and friends, leading to feelings of isolation.
Hearing loss typically occurs in both ears as we age. Because the loss is gradual, you may not realize that you've lost some of your ability to hear.
Why do we lose our hearing as we get older?
• Many things affect our hearing as we age. For example, changes in the inner ear structures can affect our hearing.
• Age-related changes in the middle ear and complex changes in the nerve pathways from the ear to the brain can also affect hearing.
• Long-term exposure to noise and some medical conditions can also play a role.
• In addition, new research suggests that certain genes make some people more susceptible to hearing loss as they age.
• Conditions that are more common in older people, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are associated with hearing loss.
• In addition, medications that are toxic to the sensory cells in your ears can cause hearing loss.
• Less commonly, abnormalities of the middle ear, such as otosclerosis, or infections of Middle ear and outer ear can worsen hearing with age.
Can I prevent age-related hearing loss?
• Scientists don't yet know how to prevent age-related hearing loss, but you can protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss.
• Potential sources of damaging noises include loud music, headphones/earbuds used at high volume and for longer durations, construction equipment, factory equipment, fireworks, and vehicles sound.
• To help safeguard your hearing as you age, avoid loud noises, reduce the amount of time you're exposed to loud sounds, and protect your ears with earplugs or protective earmuffs.
• Regular check up of your hearing. At least once in a year.
How can I tell if I have a hearing problem?
Ask yourself the following questions.
If you answer “yes” to two or more of these questions, or “sometimes” to three or more of these questions, you could have hearing loss and should consider having your hearing checked with the Audiologist.
Questions -
1 Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when listening to TV or radio?
2 Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when attending a party?
3 Does a hearing problem make you to feel frustrated when talking to family members?
4 Does a hearing problem make you feel left out when you are with a group of people?
5 Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when visiting friends, relatives, or neighbors?
6 Do you feel challenged by a hearing problem?
7 Does a hearing problem cause you to feel uncomfortable when talking to friends?
8 Does a hearing problem cause you to avoid group of people?
What should I do if I have trouble hearing?
If you are concerned about your hearing,
• Start by learning more about hearing loss and hearing health professionals.
• If your symptoms are complex, or if you have questions about hearing loss, take advice of an audiologists who is a hearing health expert.
• Depending on your symptoms, you Audiologist will suggest you hearing aids if required.
• If needed Audiologist can also refer you to other specialist doctors, and can also help to determine whether you have other medical conditions that can contribute to hearing loss.
• An audiologist has specialized training in identifying and measuring hearing loss, determining where along the auditory pathway there may be a problem with hearing, and recommending and providing certain hearing loss interventions, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.
• After taking a hearing aid trial with multiple hearing aids your Audiologist help you in choosing the right device for you.
• They customize the hearing aids according to your hearing loss and your need.
• They take measurement of your ear and ear canal in the form of an impression so you can hear clearly and feel comfortable when using hearing aids.
• They program your hearing aids according to the type and severity of your hearing loss.
• They counsel you about the use of hearing aids and teach you how to take care of your hearing and hearing aids.
For more information contact us – Better Speech & Hearing Clinic, HSR Layout, Bangalore.
Call- 9606404343, betterspeechhearingclinic@gmail.com
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