Hearing Loss and Aging: What Everyone Over 50 Should Know

Have you noticed that you are turning the volume on your TV up louder than ever before? Are you asking people around you to repeat themselves so that you can hear them more clearly? You’re not alone. If you are over 50, you’ll find that most people in your generation are experiencing subtle changes that require a visit to an audiologist. Scheduling an appointment with a hearing specialist is easy and you’ll be able to get the testing, potential diagnosis and answers you need!

Age-related hearing loss is medically known as presbycusis. It can creep up on you, which makes it very easy to overlook if you’re not paying attention. There are so many things that can affect your hearing through life, and it can seem like they hit you at once as soon as you’re over the age of 50. The most common age-related condition is hearing loss, so here is what you need to know about testing for it, diagnosing it and getting the proper treatment!

Signs of Hearing Loss

The first thing that you should know now that you are over 50 are the signs of hearing loss. Most people report having difficulties hearing high frequency sounds like the doorbell ringing or like their grandchildren ‘s voices. Other symptoms include:

• Asking people around you to repeat themselves when they are talking
• Experiencing the buzzing or ringing that is known as tinnitus
• Having to turn up the volume on your television or radio
• Having a hard time understanding people talking in crowded spaces

Hearing Loss Contributors

Now that you understand the signs of hearing loss, you need to think about the risk factors. Age-related hearing loss occurs because the tiny hair cells in the inner ear start to deteriorate quickly. It’s these hair cells that transmit sound signals to the brain, and without them there is a gap. Some of the things that can contribute to hearing loss include:

• Exposure to loud noise
• Medications that are ototoxic
• Health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
• A buildup of earwax or fluid in the ear

How Hearing Loss Impacts Life

Hearing loss can significantly impact your daily life, from the interactions you have with family and friends to coworkers during a meeting. Not only can this affect your mood, it can also impact the way you communicate and could lead to further frustrations and social isolation. Acknowledging how it can alter your normal day-to-day activities is important so you can recognize any additional symptoms that the condition is worsening, including:

• You might find yourself avoiding social situations.
• You might feel disconnected from friends and family due to the barrier of your communication.
• Some people struggle with feeling lonely or depressed.
• Without being able to hear, there is also an increased likelihood of falls which can have really affect your personal safety.

Exploring Your Solutions

If it’s been determined that you have hearing loss, the next steps will be discussing treatment options with your audiologist. Hearing aids are the most common recommendation and they are available in numerous styles and sizes, including: in the canal (ITC), completely in canal (CIC), invisible in canal (IIC), in the ear (ITE) and behind the ear (BTE). The type of device you select will depend on the severity of your hearing loss, your personal aesthetic preferences, your lifestyle and budget needs. Your audiologist will walk you through the models they think are ideal for you, while also considering your own preferences.

You will also talk with the audiologist about which features would be most beneficial to your specific needs. Evaluate your lifestyle and daily activities to determine the most beneficial features. If you are frequently in noisy environments, features such as noise reduction and directional microphones may be crucial. For those who enjoy music or phone calls, Bluetooth connectivity and telecoil options might be essential.

While these devices can significantly help you with your hearing, your hearing specialist will also give you preventative measures beyond treatments. This might include things like minimizing contact with loud sounds over long periods of time and wearing hearing protection when you are immersed in noisy environments and sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Undergoing regular hearing checkups with an audiologist and wearing earplugs can all help you to keep your hearing intact.

The thought of having age-related hearing loss can be overwhelming, but with the help of the expert audiologists at Kirsch Audiology, you can learn more about your condition and treatment options. Book an appointment with our team by calling 310-586-5533 today!