Hearing Loss – Is It Only a Concern for the Elderly?

Presbycusis, or “age-related hearing loss,” is a natural affliction among many older adults. It’s the gradual hearing loss that occurs in both ears. 1 out of 3 adults over the age of 65 has hearing loss to varying degrees. Due to the gradual loss of hearing, many individuals are not aware of this change.

But at times, it impacts hearing many high-pitched sounds, like the beeping of the microwave or the ringing of a phone. But the ability to hear low-pitch sounds is mostly unaffected.

ENT specialists opine that presbycusis is not life-threatening but can impact the quality of life when left untreated.

The Symptoms of Presbycusis or Age-Related Hearing Loss

Before you speak with a healthcare expert from a reliable ENT hospital in Mumbai, you must know about the signs/symptoms of presbycusis. The symptoms of this condition begin when a person cannot hear high-pitched noises like the relatively shrill voices of children or females.

You might also not be able to hear others speak or background noises. The other symptoms of this condition are:

• Ringing in the ears
• Some sounds might seem overly loud
• Difficulty in hearing the difference between “TH” and “S” sounds
• Unable to understand conversations over the phone
• Difficulty in hearing in noisy places
• Having to turn up the volume of the radio or television to hear
• Asking individuals to repeat themselves

You should inform your physician from a trusted ENT hospital in Mumbai about any of these signs/symptoms. It might be a symptom of a different medical condition for an accurate diagnosis.

The Causes of Presbycusis [Age-Related Hearing Loss]

There are several causes for presbycusis. But mostly, it is due to the changes in the following areas:

• The nerve pathways to the brain
• Within the middle ear
• Within the inner ear [The most common cause]

Apart from these, here are several other things that cause presbycusis or age-related hearing loss:

• Constantly getting exposed to loud noises [Work or music noises]
• The loss of hair cells [Sensory receptors present in the inner cell]
• Ageing
• Side effects of medications like certain antibiotics and aspirin
• Inherited factors
• Several health conditions like diabetes or heart disease

How is Age-Related Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

An ENT specialist will utilize an Otoscope, a lighted scope, to look at the eardrum and outer ear canal. The doctor will check whether there is a blockage in the ear canal from impacted ear wax, foreign objects, infection, or inflammation. He or she will also inspect if the eardrum is damaged.

Additionally, you may be referred to a reliable Audiologist, a hearing specialist, to get an audiogram done. It is a test where sounds are played through the headphones to each ear simultaneously. The audiologist will ask you to respond if you can hear each sound.

When you cannot hear specific tones, it might indicate some level of hearing loss. Once the test is completed, the audiologist will share your report with your ENT consultant for analysis and treatment.

How is Presbycusis Treated?

There is no cure for age-related hearing loss. If you’re diagnosed with it, your doctor will do their best to improve your quality of life and hearing. To do so, your physician may suggest the following:

• Provide lessons in lip reading or sign language [For severe hearing loss]
• Provide you with assistive devices, such as Telephone Amplifiers
• Offer hearing aids so that you can hear adequately

In other situations, the ENT specialist may suggest opting for the “Cochlear Implant”. Here, a small electronic device is surgically implanted into the ear. These implants can make the sound louder but cannot restore normal hearing. This option is ideal for individuals who are experiencing severe hearing loss.

Preventing Age-Related Hearing Loss?

Experts say that it is not possible to prevent age-related hearing loss. But you can follow several steps to prevent the condition from becoming severe. So, when you’re experiencing age-related hearing loss, opt for these tips:

• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels
• Wear ear protection in areas that are known to have loud noises
• Avoid constant exposure to loud sounds.

Hearing loss in younger adults

Though hearing loss is more prevalent among the elderly, it may affect younger adults due to:

• Hereditary factors
• Severe trauma or injury to the ears
• Constant and lengthy exposure to very loud sounds
• Abnormal bone growth in the ears due to hypertension or high blood-sugar

Conclusion

Presbycusis or Age-related hearing loss is a condition that mostly affects elderly people. It is important to identify the symptoms at the onset and consult ENT specialists. It will help the affliction from worsening and provide options for using devices that aid hearing if required.

Read More Health Blogs about blood clot in brain.