What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Hearing Loss due to Aging
• Presbycusis
• Senile Deafness

What is Age-Related Hearing Loss? (Definition/Background Information)

• A gradual loss of hearing that occurs when people get older is termed as Age-Related Hearing Loss. The condition is medically termed as Presbycusis
• “Presby” means elder and “cusis” means hearing, and hence, Presbycusis means hearing loss that occurs with increasing age
• Age-Related Hearing Loss is generally associated with various types of dysfunction of the hearing system, which increases with age. It is the third most common chronic healthcare condition among older adults and generally affects people above 65 years of age
• The main features of Age Related Hearing Loss are a general disability to hear high frequency sound, slurred or mumbled hearing, and an ability to understand women’s voice rather than a man’s voice. It usually occurs in both the ears and affects them equally
• Though Age Related Hearing Loss cannot be cured completely, it can be efficiently managed with the help of various assistive devices such as hearing aids

Who gets Age-Related Hearing Loss? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Age-Related Hearing Loss affects 1 in 3 adults who are over 65 years of age and 1 in 2 adults who are over 85 years of age. It is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in older people
• It occurs with increasing age and 20-25% of people between the ages of 65 and 75 years, and 40-50% of people who are 75 years and above are affected
• Men are more commonly affected by the condition than women

What are the Risk Factors for Age-Related Hearing Loss? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors associated with Age-Related Hearing Loss or Presbycusis include:

• Changes that occur in the inner ear as an individual grows older
• An individual’s genetic make-up may be an important factor for Age-Related Hearing Loss
• A family history wherein various members of the family may be affected by Age-Related Hearing Loss
• Repeated exposure to loud noises
• Smoking habit can lead to hearing loss
• Presence of medical conditions such as:
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart diseases
• Use of certain medications will also affect the hearing capacity of an individual

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Age-Related Hearing Loss? (Etiology)

Damage to the tiny hair cells present in the inner ear that receive the sound waves and convert them into the nerve signals, which the brain interprets as sound, may lead to hearing loss.

Causes for Age-Related Hearing Loss may include:

• Natural breakdown of nerve cells in the inner ear
• Age-Related Hearing Loss could occur due to a combination of changes to the ear, such as to:
  • The structure of the inner ear
  • Flow of blood to the inner ear
  • The hearing nerve
  • The way the brain processes speech and sound
• An individual’s genes may also play an important role in Age-Related Hearing Loss

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Age-Related Hearing Loss?

The signs and symptoms of Age-Related Hearing Loss include:

• Difficulty in hearing high frequency sounds, such as the speech sounds of the consonants s, t, k, p, and f
• Requesting others repeatedly to repeat what they just said
• Slurred or mumbled hearing
• Finding it easier to pick-up or understand what women say better than what men say
• Certain sounds are heard really loud
• There are hearing problems in noisy areas
• The ability to detect the location of sound is affected
• Turning the volume of a television or a radio louder than what is generally acceptable or normal
• Difficulty in differentiating sounds like ‘s’ or ‘th’
• Difficulty in hearing people with a high-pitched voice

How is Age-Related Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Age-Related Hearing Loss may include:

• A physical examination is performed by the physician to determine if any medical condition has caused the hearing loss
• Basic tests are conducted by the physician to check for hearing loss and the type of hearing loss using tests such as the whisper test, Weber and Rinne test
• An otoscope examination may be performed to look into the ears and check for wax accumulation
• The hearing capacity of an individual is best assessed using electronic audiometers and audiometry devices
• Hearing tests or an audiogram is done by an audiologist to determine the extent of the hearing loss
• Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Age-Related Hearing Loss?

Complications due to Age-Related Hearing Loss may include:

• Physical difficulties such as being unable to hear important things, participate effectively in a discussion or meeting
• Psychological problems that may include:
  • Social isolation
  • Sadness and depression
  • Anxiety
  • Frustration
  • Loneliness
  • Difficulty in communicating even simple things with others
• Deafness

How is Age-Related Hearing Loss Treated?

Currently, there is no permanent cure available for Age-Related Hearing Loss. The treatment is always aimed at improving the normal quality of life and everyday function.

The following measures may be helpful:

• The use of hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, and other assistive devices for hearing
• Use of sign language for individuals with severe hearing loss
• A cochlear implantation through a surgery is recommended when the hearing loss is severe
• Certain tactics for good hearing that can be practiced may include:
  • Looking at the face of the person while talking with him/her
  • Watching the lips of the person while he/she talks
  • While talking to someone, try to keep the background noise to a minimum (say, by shifting to a better location)
  • The use of soft furnishing in the house can help in improving one’s hearing ability
  • Maintaining calmness (avoiding distractions) while carrying on a conversation will help in more accurate hearing
  • When there is a hearing problem, it is better to inform others about the condition so that there is an awareness of the same

How can Age-Related Hearing Loss be Prevented?

• Research is currently being carried on to assess if antioxidants can be effectively used to prevent hearing loss in older adults
• The following steps and methods can be adopted to prevent or delay Age-Related Hearing Loss:
  • Avoid loud sounds
  • Use ear protection gear in places where the sound is very loud
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle to help prevent the onset of Age-Related Hearing Loss
  • Wearing earplugs or special fluid-filled earmuffs can help in preventing further damage to the ears

What is the Prognosis of Age-Related Hearing Loss? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• Age-Related Hearing Loss or Presbycusis occurs at a slow pace and gets worse with age. It is not completely curable and can lead to permanent deafness
• Even though the condition is not completely curable, it may be efficiently managed so that the affected individual can still lead an active and comfortable life
• Early and correct diagnosis and immediate treatment can help in effectively managing Hearing Loss due to Aging

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Age-Related Hearing Loss:

• The level at which people can hear a sound at a particular frequency is called the threshold level
• Hearing loss is measured in decibel hearing level (dBHL), and an individual is said to possess normal hearing, if the frequency level lies between 0 to 20 dB
• Hearing loss is considered to be
  • Mild, when the frequency level is between 21 to 40 dB
  • Moderate, when the frequency level is between 41 to 70 dB
  • Severe, when the frequency level lies between 71 to 95 dB
• Research has revealed that the hearing deterioration generally stops around the age of 70 years