Do you sometimes have to ask someone to "speak again" when you can't hear what they're saying clearly? Or do you have to turn up the TV volume a little? Maybe you can't hear subtle sounds like birds chirping or the sound of an alarm clock as you used to. These are common signs that our hearing gradually begins to decline with age. We medically call this condition ' presbycusis '. Simply put, this is the hearing loss that occurs with age . It affects many people all over the world. In fact, it is said that about two out of three people over the age of 70 have this condition. There is currently no complete cure for this, but with things like hearing aids, we can control this condition to a large extent and get help to hear better.
What are the symptoms of presbycusis?
As mentioned earlier, the main thing is that you don't hear as well as you used to. These symptoms don't appear all at once, but gradually increase. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be a sign of age-related hearing loss:
- The inability to hear very subtle, high-pitched sounds, such as birdsong or the sound of an alarm clock. Imagine, if you used to wake up in the morning to the sound of a bird chirping, now you hardly hear it at all.
- When you talk on the phone, watch TV, or listen to something on the computer , you often have to turn up the volume. Other people in the house may think the volume is too loud.
- The feeling of constantly hearing different sounds in the ears. Z… A ringing or buzzing sound. We also call this tinnitus .
- It can be difficult to clearly understand what someone is saying in a crowded place, such as at a party or in a restaurant, where the noise level is high. The words may seem to be jumbled up and sound broken.
Why does hearing loss occur like this? What are the causes of presbycusis?
Presbycusis is actually a hearing loss caused by damage to the cells in our inner ear. Doctors call this sensorineural hearing loss . There are several main risk factors that can affect this condition:
- Family history: If someone in your family, for example your mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather, has experienced hearing loss as they got older, you may also be at risk. This may be hereditary.
- Side effects of some medications (Ototoxicity): There are some medications that, when used continuously, can damage the cells in our inner ear and cause hearing loss. This is called ototoxicity . Therefore, you should be careful when using medications other than those prescribed by a doctor.
- Exposure to loud noise: People who work in loud environments for long periods of time, or who regularly wear headphones and listen to music at maximum volume, can develop hearing problems quickly. Research has found that people who have noise-induced hearing loss (presbycusis) may be more likely to develop hearing loss as they age . Imagine, if you worked in a factory with loud machinery since you were young, or if you were constantly near speakers at music concerts, that could affect you.
In addition to these main causes, there are some other diseases that research has found to be associated with hearing loss as we age. Such diseases include:
- Heart disease, especially coronary artery disease (CAD) .
- Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) .
- High blood pressure (Hypertension) .
- Stroke- like conditions.
These diseases can impair the blood supply to the inner ear, which can also cause hearing loss.
What other complications can occur due to this condition?
Presbycusis is not just about losing your hearing. When you have trouble understanding what someone is saying, you may feel anxious or nervous about talking to others. Having to ask, "What did you just say?" over and over again can be embarrassing. This can lead to some people withdrawing from society and trying to be alone. Research has shown that this condition can cause the following:
- Social isolation.
- Increased risk of developing mental health problems such as anxiety disorder or depression .
Imagine, your friends are laughing at something funny, but you can't hear it properly and you can't laugh. That would make you feel sad, right?
How is presbycusis diagnosed?
If you think you have a hearing problem, first see your family doctor (primary care provider). He or she will examine your ears.
- Physical examination: The doctor will look inside your ears to see if your eardrum is damaged, swollen, or infected. This is done using a small instrument called an otoscope . It has a magnifying lens with a light.
- Hearing tests: Next, your doctor will refer you to an ear specialist, an audiologist . There, they will perform various hearing tests. The main test to diagnose presbycusis is the pure tone test . In this, you will be put on headphones and asked to listen to sounds at different intensities (pitch) and volumes (volume). This will help you find out what the quietest sound you can hear is.
Are there types of presbycusis?
Yes, after tests by an audiologist, you can be told what type of presbycusis you have. This classification depends on which part of your inner ear is damaged. To understand these types, it's helpful to know a little about how our inner ear works and how we hear.
- Our inner ear contains a snail-shaped part called the cochlea . Inside this are thousands of tiny hair-like cells called stereocilia .
- When these hair cells sense sound vibrations coming from our middle ear, they convert them into an electrical impulse and send it to our auditory nerve .
- This auditory nerve connects our ears to the brain. The brain receives these signals and interprets them as sound.
Now let's look at the two main types of presbycusis:
1. Sensory presbycusis: This occurs when the outer hair cells in the Organ of Corti, located at the base of the cochlea, are lost.
2. Neural presbycusis: In order for us to hear well, the nerve cells in the cochlea and the auditory pathway to the brain need to function properly. As we age, these nerve cells can gradually decrease. This is the name given to the hearing impairment that occurs as a result.
What is the treatment for this?
The main and most commonly used treatment for presbycusis is to wear hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify the sounds in the external environment and deliver them to our ears. However, hearing aids cannot completely cure the condition or restore lost hearing. However, they can be a great help in performing daily tasks and communicating with others.
Does treatment differ depending on the type of presbycusis?
No, hearing aids are usually recommended as a treatment for all types. However, by identifying which type you have, your doctor can get an idea of how the condition will affect your life. For example, someone with neural presbycusis may have more difficulty understanding speech, or speech discrimination .
What happens if I have this condition?
Presbycusis is a progressive condition. This means that in a few years your hearing may be a little less than it is today. But there is nothing to worry about. This condition can be managed well with hearing aids. Many people who experience hearing loss as they age live successfully.
Can presbycusis be prevented?
Just as aging cannot be stopped, it is also difficult to completely prevent this condition. It is a natural part of the aging process. However, there are things we can do to control the rate at which hearing loss occurs, or to reduce the severity of the condition:
- Use earplugs or other protective devices in places with high noise levels. For example, if you are going to a music concert or working on a construction site.
- Listen to TV and radio with the volume down. Don't turn the volume up too much, especially when listening to music or watching movies with headphones.
- If you can't protect yourself from loud noises, stay as far away from them as possible. For example, if you go to a concert without earplugs, stay a little further away from the speakers.
- If you smoke, stop. Smoking affects our blood circulation as well as our hearing. Not only that, but smokers can develop hearing loss at an earlier age than others. If you need help quitting smoking, consult a doctor.
- Take care of your overall health. Experts believe that there is a link between conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease and hearing loss. Therefore, protecting yourself from these conditions can also help control hearing loss.
How do I take care of myself?
Even though hearing aids can help you hear better, hearing loss cannot be restored. Therefore, living with hearing loss, even with hearing aids, can sometimes be a challenge. Here are some more tips for managing this condition:
- Tell others about your condition: Tell your family, friends, and people at work that you have a hearing problem. They can then help you. For example, they can look you in the face when they talk to you and try to speak clearly.
- Protect your ears: Presbycusis can be made worse by loud noises, so be sure to wear earplugs whenever you're in a loud place.
- Wear your hearing aids regularly: Some people stop using their hearing aids because they hurt their ears. However, if you have presbycusis, wearing your hearing aids regularly can help prevent the condition from getting worse. If you experience discomfort while wearing your hearing aids, talk to your audiologist. He or she can adjust them to fit you.
When should I see my audiologist?
You will likely need to see an audiologist at least once a year for a hearing test to see if your hearing has gotten worse. If you are still having trouble hearing even after wearing your hearing aids , be sure to see an audiologist as soon as possible.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
If your hearing tests confirm that you have presbycusis, asking these questions will help you better understand the condition:
- How severe is my hearing loss?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend? Do you need hearing aids?
- How does this situation affect my daily life?
- What else should I be concerned about?
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Presbycusis, the gradual loss of hearing as we age, is part of the aging process. If you have difficulty understanding what someone is saying, or if you constantly have to turn up the volume on the TV, it could be a sign that your hearing is getting a little weaker. While it can't be prevented completely, taking care of your ears can help slow the progression of this condition. If you notice any changes in your hearing, don't hesitate to see a doctor. He or she will be able to examine your condition, refer you for hearing tests if necessary, and provide you with the most appropriate advice and treatment. Remember, the sooner it is detected, the easier it is to manage!
` Presbycusis, Age-related hearing loss, Hearing, Hearing aids, Tinnitus, Audiologist, Cochlea
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