What Effect Does Age have on Hearing?

It happens to us all – getting older that is. But for around one third of people between the ages of 65 to 74, the aging process is also associated with hearing loss.  At over 75 year of age, this statistic rises to half. However, when this loss happens gradually, you don’t always realize what’s happening.

The tell-tale signs that your hearing isn’t all that it could be include finding people mumbling more than they used to and frequently having to turn up the volume on the TV or radio. Apart from this, hearing loss has other consequences such as not hearing the doorbell, phone, or smoke alarm. In addition, you may find it difficult to follow instructions but are too embarrassed to keep asking people to repeat themselves.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Age-related hearing loss most commonly happens in both ears as a result of wear-and-tear in the inner ear (or cochlea). Here, fine hairs bathed in fluid move gently in response to mechanical sound stimulation from the middle ear. Over time these hairs get stiff (like our joints!) and don’t work so well. Other causes of decreased hearing can include changes in the nerve linking the inner ear to the brain, or certain medical conditions.

Is Age-Related Hearing Loss Inevitable?

The answer to this question depends on if you are a half-empty or a half-full type of person. You could argue that while 50% suffer from hearing loss, the other 50 % don’t. Factors that can push you into the former group as things like exposure to loud noises in younger life, which damages those delicate hairs in the inner ear.

Alternatively, health problems such as diabetes or heart disease are implicated in bringing about hearing loss. Indeed, if the audiologist sees certain patterns on your audiogram, she may suggest visiting your physician to get your heart health checked out – the link there is well documented.

Although there is no magic bullet to prevent hearing damage, you can protect your hearing by wearing ear protectors when using noisy machinery; don’t forget this includes things like leaf blowers, lawn mowers, motorcycles, or power tools.

What Should I Do if I’m Suspicious of Hearing Loss?

The first step is to get your hearing tested.  There are different types of professional who can help you. You can consult an audiologist, who is a professionally trained individual with special knowledge of the causes and types of hearing loss. They also routinely provide treatment for hearing loss with hearing aids and other personal devices.  Your primary care physician can check out your general health, and refer you to a specialist (ENT or an otolaryngologist).

Getting your hearing assessed is not just an academic exercise, because these days excellent hearing aids are available, which are practically undetectable to the observer. So wearing a hearing aid can be your little secret.