Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is a common occurrence that is often caused by changes to the inner ear that impact how well the auditory nerve sends signals to the brain.
Although it may be considered just another part of getting older, hearing loss can be devastating, embarrassing, and frustrating. While you may require assistive therapy and treatment for your hearing loss, early intervention can help prevent future deterioration.
And for those who have been living with age-related hearing loss for some time, treatment from an experienced Nashville ENT like the doctors at OAT can help reverse some effects and restore your hearing.
Hearing Loss in Older Adults
Adult hearing loss affects approximately 2% of people 45-54, 8.5% of 55-64-year-olds, 25% of people 65-75 and 50% of those 75 and older.
There are three primary types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
Sensorineural is a type of permanent hearing loss caused by damage to your auditory nerve, or cilla, and it can be caused by ear trauma, head injury, infection, and an inner-ear condition called Meniere's disease.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by damage to the exterior part of your ear, meaning the inner ear and auditory nerve are unaffected. Wax impaction and even a broken ear can cause this type of impairment.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of factors that lead to both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
Warning signs of hearing loss in adults can include trouble understanding others, especially in loud places, no longer noticing the bird’s chirping, feeling like you can hear others talking but not make out what they’re saying.
If you are concerned about a loved one, then you might look for signs such as them asking you to speak louder or repeat yourself, turning up the volume higher on the TV or radio, speaking less often, and taking longer to respond in conversation.
Causes
Causes of hearing loss in adults vary, but the most common are injury/trauma to the ear, wax build-up, and infection.
Ear Trauma
Damage to the ear can lead to sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss. The extent of damage depends on whether the trauma impacted the inner or outer ear and whether the auditory nerve was also affected.
Impacted Ear Wax
Ear wax is designed to protect your inner ear from dirt and bacteria, but it can build-up over time. When it becomes hard and stuck in the ear, this is known as impaction. You may also develop impacted ear wax from attempting to clean your ears with Q-tips, as these can actually push wax deeper into your ear canal.
Luckily, impacted ear wax can be removed by an ear, nose, and throat doctor, and your hearing will likely be restored after it is gone.
Infection
Ear infections can cause hearing loss due to a build-up of fluid and pressure in the ear. This could lead to a ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation). If you have pain, swelling, redness, soreness, or fluid leaking from your ear, please schedule an appointment at OAT right away.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s Disease typically begins after age 40, and it can cause hearing loss along with dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and a feeling of fullness in your ears. Symptoms may come and go in the early stages of the disease.
Prevention
While age-related hearing loss may be inevitable due to genetic factors, there are still some preventative measures you can take to protect your hearing.
Avoid listening to music at a loud volume. The midrange on any device is generally the safe zone for your eardrums. Devices like iPhones can produce decibels up to 115 dB, but this is an extremely damaging level that you should not listen to for any longer than 15 minutes.
Clean your headphones. Bacteria can build up on earbuds and headphones that increase your risk of an ear infection; clean yours with a bit of 70% isopropyl alcohol at least once a week and whenever you’ve had them out in public.
Wear hearing protectors in loud environments. You might want to consider wearing hearing protectors in high-risk situations, such as using power tools, jet skiing, or attending a concert.
Get your hearing tested. Annual hearing tests can treat hearing loss early. You should also have your hearing tested whenever you notice symptoms or have difficulty hearing.
Treatment Options
Ear care from experienced ENTs can make all the difference in your hearing. Instead of struggling with daily interactions, you can regain confidence and freedom through personalized care that addresses the root cause of your symptoms.
In addition to treating any injury or infection, we can also help patients with hearing loss recover the joy of sound through a discreet hearing aid.
Our hearing aid center supports adults at every stage of life, whether they are in their 30s or 40s or over 70. Hearing health is a lifelong journey, and we are here with you every step of the way.
Through custom-fitted hearing aids, we can help you find the perfect solution for your lifestyle.
Request an Appointment Today
Our Nashville ENT clinic is here to help you feel empowered at every age, no matter what symptoms you might be experiencing. Don’t feel like you have to suffer in silence; contact us to schedule a hearing evaluation and comprehensive assessment.
From there, we’ll start building a personalized hearing recovery plan to help you reconnect with the conversations, music, and beautiful sounds that make life wonderful.
