Presbycusis; An Examination of High Frequency Hearing Loss & Impact on Society

Presbycusis, also known as age related hearing loss, is generally a sensorineural hearing loss involving deterioration of the inner ear nerves or the inner ear hairs. Presbycusis is known to begin, in adults, as early as the mid 20’s. With this knowledge, technology has expanded to create high pitch frequency ring tones which are impossible for older adults to hear. The result is controversial in that it allows businesses to emit a sound high enough to ward off teenagers from their premises but also permits teenagers to download a cell phone ringer which is impossible for teachers and parents to hear. Understanding the types of hearing loss, the levels at which individuals generally hear sound, and the latest technology, will enable teachers, parents and businesses to better equip in the latest high frequency technology. 

During normal conversation, sound is emitted at 50 to 60 decibels with whispers generally as low as 20 decibels. For many older individuals, hearing loss results in the inability to gradually hear the tones below 20 decibels and, from that point, gradually deteriorate to a profound level of hearing loss thus requiring hearing aides or hearing amplification devices. In fact, individuals with hearing loss in excess of 70 decibels are considered to be in the severe or profound hearing loss state. 

What is important to understand is most hearing loss can be corrected. With two types of hearing loss possible, conductive and sensorineural, your physician will first conduct a physical examination, audiogram and speech recognition test to determine what, if any, combination of these two hearing losses has occurred. The result will determine the level and type of hearing loss implicated and what, if any, hearing devices are required.