Presbycusis, hearing loss in old age & bull; hello healthy

As we get older, some of the body's functions will decrease, including the ears. Nearly every one in two seniors over the age of 65 has hearing loss of varying severity. This hearing loss is called presbycusis. Check out the full explanation below.

What is presbycusis?

Presbycusis is the medical term to describe age-related hearing loss. Although this condition is not a life-threatening condition, hearing loss can have a major impact on daily life and quality of life if it is not given special treatment.

What are the symptoms of presbycusis?

Presbycusis symptoms usually begin with a decrease in the ability to hear high-pitched sounds. You may notice this when you have difficulty hearing women's or children's voices.

You may also have difficulty hearing background voices or hearing other people speak clearly. Other symptoms that can occur include:

• Feeling certain sounds are too loud for you
• Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• Difficulty distinguishing the 's' and 'th' sounds
• Experiencing ringing in the ears or tinnitus
• Tune the television or radio sound louder than usual
• Ask others to repeat what they said
• Unable to understand the conversation on the phone

If you experience the symptoms above, you should immediately consult a doctor, because you may experience symptoms of presbycusis.

What causes presbycusis?

Presbycusis usually includes sensorineural hearing loss. This type of disorder is caused by disorders of the ear, especially the inner ear or the auditory nerve.

Some changes to the inner ear can cause this condition. These changes include:

• Changes in the structure of the inner ear
• Changes in blood circulation to the ear
• Nerve disorders of the hearing system
• Damage to the vibrating hairs in the ears that carry sound to the brain

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders said the above changes could result from repeated exposure to loud noises, such as traffic or construction work, noisy offices, noisy equipment, or loud music.

Presbycusis can also be caused by changes in the availability of blood to the ear due to several diseases, such as:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Conditions related to blood vessels (caused by diabetes)
• Other circulatory problems

Hearing loss in the above cases can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.

In some cases, presbycusis is a type of conductive hearing loss, in which the ear is insensitive due to abnormalities of the outer ear and / or middle ear. These disorders may include:

• Reduced function of the tympanic membrane (eardrum)
• Reduced function of the three small bones in the middle ear that carry sound waves from the eardrum to the inner ear

What factors can increase the risk of developing presbycusis?

The following factors can increase your risk of developing presbycusis:

• Family history
• Repeated exposure to loud noises
• Smoke
• Certain diseases, such as diabetes
• Certain drugs, such as chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer

How to diagnose this condition?

The doctor will perform a thorough physical examination to rule out other possibilities that have caused your hearing loss. Usually, the doctor will examine your ear with a device called an otoscope.

If your doctor can't find another cause that explains your condition, your doctor may diagnose you with presbycusis. Next, you will be referred to a specialist and undergo tests to see how much your hearing has decreased.

How do you treat presbycusis?

Hearing loss due to increasing age cannot be cured. However, there are a number of ways to reduce the effects of presbycusis. The options are:

1. Hearing aids

If you are diagnosed with this condition, your doctor will usually recommend that you wear hearing aids to improve your quality of life.

2. Learn sign language

In some severe cases, your doctor may recommend that you learn how to use sign language and read lip movements.

3. Cochlear implant

In some cases, your doctor may suggest a cochlear implant or cochlear implant . This procedure is performed by surgically implanting a small electronic instrument into your ear.

This implant makes the sound louder, but cannot restore hearing function to its original state. This procedure is usually only performed on patients who have experienced severe hearing loss.

Can my condition improve if I already have presbycusis?

Presbycusis is a condition that will continue slowly. This means, the sufferer's condition will get worse over time.

If the sufferer has lost hearing, it will be permanent. Even so, the use of hearing aids will improve the quality of life for sufferers.

Consult with your doctor about treatment options that you can do. Ask what things can help you minimize the impact of your hearing loss on your daily life. You can also consider treatment options for depression and anxiety, which are conditions that often occur in people with presbycusis.

Is there any way to prevent hearing loss in old age?

You may not be able to prevent presbycusis, but you can take some precautions to prevent your condition from getting worse. If you have presbycusis, try to:

• Avoid repeated exposure to loud sounds
• Wear ear protection, such as ear plugs, in noisy places
• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes

Immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of presbycusis. As your hearing loss worsens, the more likely it is that you will experience a decrease in your ability to understand speech. However, if you seek help immediately, this condition will be minimized.

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