Managing Age-Related Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is a gradual decline in hearing that typically occurs as we age. Presbycusis affects a significant portion of the elderly population, with about one in three adults aged 65 to 74 experiencing some degree of it.
Causes of Presbycusis
The development of presbycusis is multifactorial and can involve the following factors:
Ageing
Ageing is the most significant factor for hearing loss, as physiological changes in the inner ear, middle ear, and auditory pathways occur over time. This includes degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea and other sensory structures.
Family history
Hereditary predispositions can increase susceptibility to hearing loss as we get older, suggesting that family history plays a role.
Frequent exposure to loud noises
Long-term exposure to loud noises is also a critical risk factor for presbycusis. This can include occupational noise or recreational activities like concerts and sports events.
Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains numerous harmful substances, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. These toxins can damage the hair cells in the cochlea and disrupt normal auditory processing.
How is Presbycusis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing presbycusis involves a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist or otolaryngologist. Several methods are being used to assess hearing function and rule out other potential causes of hearing loss.
Symptoms review
The clinician will begin by taking a detailed medical history, including any symptoms experienced, such as difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, trouble understanding conversations, or the presence of tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Otoscopy
An otoscopy is performed using an otoscope to visually inspect the outer ear canal and eardrum for any abnormalities, such as inflammation or damage that could affect hearing.
Audiometry testing
During an audiometry test, the patient wears headphones and responds to sounds at different pitches and volumes, helping to create an audiogram. In presbycusis, the audiogram typically shows a bilateral decline in high-frequency hearing.
Ways to Manage Age-Related Hearing Loss
Currently, there is no established cure for presbycusis. However, its effects can be managed through the use of assistive listening devices, including hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Hearing aids are essential devices to use if you are already experiencing hearing loss. They function by capturing sounds from the surrounding environment, amplifying them, and transmitting these enhanced sounds directly into the ears. The effectiveness of hearing aids largely depends on their correct fitting and programming by a qualified audiologist. If the devices are not tailored to your specific hearing loss, there may be risks of discomfort or ineffective amplification, which could lead to worsened hearing when the aids are removed.
Meanwhile, cochlear implants are advanced medical devices designed to assist individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who do not benefit sufficiently from traditional hearing aids. They work by bypassing damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve, allowing sound signals to be sent to the brain.
Preventing Age-Related Hearing Loss
While age-related hearing loss is mostly inevitable, particularly with a significant family history (genetic factors), implementing specific strategies may help postpone its onset. These strategies include:
- Minimising exposure to environments with high noise levels.
- Keeping the volume of personal listening devices at a safe level.
- Attending regular hearing assessments
- Quitting unhealthy habits like smoking
Age-related hearing loss is a prevalent issue that requires proactive management. On top of reading health articles and visiting websites, make sure to contact a legitimate audiologist to navigate your auditory health effectively.
