Age brings on its own set of setbacks as our bodies begin to deteriorate over time. Our outward appearance changes and our senses become dull. Our hearing is also affected in a phenomenon known as presbycusis, or hearing damage caused by aging.
With age, the delicate hair follicles within our inner ears start to deteriorate and decrease. This causes hearing loss as less and less healthy hair follicles remain within the ears. Hearing loss is an irreversible condition and several factors contribute to the onset of presbycusis.
If you have a genetic predisposition towards hearing loss, or a number of people in your family who already suffer from hearing loss, it makes it more likely that you too may have presbycusis. This increases with lifestyle choices such as smoking, taking certain ototoxic medications, and exposing yourself to loud noises over time. Even certain medical conditions contribute to presbycusis, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Presbycusis takes years to manifest since hearing loss tend to occur at a more gradual pace. Even so, it is important to be aware of early signs of hearing loss so that you can seek treatment in a timely manner.
Symptoms of presbycusis include trouble hearing what other people are saying. You may find it challenging to hear people in the presence of loud background noises. You may also have a ringing sensation within your ears. In some cases, people with presbycusis have trouble hearing certain types of noises such as high-pitched tones of birds or children.
If you feel that any of the symptoms seem familiar, get your hearing tested today. Early detection often yields a more positive result and prevents further hearing damage. Share your concerns with your family and friends and get their support. You can also have them come with you to visit an audiologist for your hearing test. Hearing examinations are simple, painless procedures so do not hesitate to get your hearing tested to ensure you can enjoy your favorite sounds no matter how old you are.