Hearing Loss and Aging

It is not uncommon, as one gets older to gradually lose a certain degree of hearing. This may first be noticed when the volume on the TV, or stereo needs to be increased from normal levels. Many times, it is not the one with the hearing loss, but friends or relatives, which first notice these changes, as the progression of hearing loss, (presbycusis), is a gradual one. As time passes, one may miss out on what friends and family are saying in conversations. Communicating on the phone can also become a challenge. Often, times one is able to hear and understand a man's voice better than woman's as higher pitches can not be easily heard. 

This condition can be embarrassing as others may attribute the hearing loss to one starting to get confused or just becoming a difficult person in general. Studies show that as many as 1/3 of all Americans over the age of 65, have some degree of hearing loss and this loss continues to multiply as age increases. There are different degrees of hearing loss among the aging population, but any degree of loss should be taken seriously.

This loss of hearing is called presbycusis. The definition of presbycusis is - the loss of hearing that gradually occurs because of changes in the inner or middle ear in individuals, as they grow older.

Certain cells in ear become damaged as one ages. These are hair cells are called cochlear. Presbycusis may also occur as a result of changes in the blood supply to the ear because of conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other circulatory problems. When this occurs, a hearing loss of high frequency pitches occurs. Because the loss of the ability for one to hear high pitched sounds, there may be difficulty in hearing a phone ring, or birds chirping. At the same time one may be able to hear very clearly, low pitched noises, and rumbling.