Hearing Loss and Aging: What Everyone Over 50 Should Know

Our hearing, much like the rest of our bodies, is susceptible to the effects of aging, as well as damage and wear and tear over time. It’s often easy to overlook just how delicate our auditory system truly is until it’s directly affected by one of these factors. Exposure to loud noises throughout our lives can exacerbate this process, accelerating the deterioration of our hearing capabilities. Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, in particular, is a prevalent concern.

As we grow older, the tiny hair cells within our inner ears that facilitate sound transmission tend to naturally degrade. This can result in a diminished ability to hear high-pitched sounds or to discern speech in noisy environments. Recognizing and addressing age-related hearing changes is a crucial aspect of maintaining overall well-being and quality of life.

How Common is Age-Related Hearing Loss?

Age-related hearing loss is fairly common, especially as you approach your 50s and beyond. One in three adults will experience moderate hearing loss once they’re over the age of 65. Depending on how well you look after your hearing will likely determine how severe your hearing loss is. For example, if you’ve worked in a noisy environment for most of your life, chances are your hearing might not be as crystal clear as someone who has worked in a quieter office environment. Once you reach the age of 50, consider scheduling a hearing test to, at the very least, establish a baseline.

What Are the More Prevalent Symptoms of Hearing Loss?

What are some of the symptoms that come with hearing loss? For many who lose some degree of their hearing loss, they may not realize they’ve done so until someone else notices it and lets them know. Here are some symptoms of hearing loss to be attentive to as you get older:

• Noisy environments might make hearing conversations more difficult
• You’re straining to listen to others
• Sounds you once heard can no longer be heard
• Ringing or pain within the ears
• Excess build-up of ear wax
• Turning up the volume on television and radios

What Should You Expect During a Hearing Test?

During a comprehensive hearing test, you can anticipate a systematic evaluation of your auditory function conducted by a qualified professional. The process typically begins with a thorough discussion of your medical history and any specific concerns you may have about your hearing. Following this, a series of non-invasive tests will be administered to assess various aspects of your hearing. These may include pure-tone testing to measure your sensitivity to different frequencies, speech audiometry to evaluate your ability to understand spoken words and tympanometry to assess the functionality of your middle ear. Additionally, a test known as otoscopy may be performed to examine the external ear and ear canal for any abnormalities.

Throughout the examination, the audiologist will provide clear instructions and ensure your comfort. The results of these tests will be used to create a detailed profile of your auditory capabilities, forming the basis for any necessary recommendations or interventions. Rest assured, a hearing test is a straightforward and informative process designed to help you better understand and address your auditory health.

Discussing Your Results

After the completion of the tests, you’ll have the opportunity to sit down with your audiologist to review the results. This crucial conversation provides a chance to gain a comprehensive understanding of your auditory health. It’s an excellent time to seek clarification on any aspects that might not be immediately clear to you. Depending on the findings, your consultation may bring reassuring news of a clean bill of health. In the event hearing loss has been detected your audiologist will discuss potential steps forward.

Exploring Your Treatment Options

Finally, as part of the diagnosis – whatever that may be, you’ll explore the hearing aid options that are available to you depending on your needs and budget. Audiologists are experienced and qualified to fit hearing aids, which might be the best solution needed to improve your hearing. It’s important to explore the options available and to think about what might be best for you instead of just going with anything your audiologist suggests.

Speak to an Audiologist About Hearing Loss

If you’ve reached 50 and haven’t had a hearing test in several years, consider making your auditory health a priority! The team at Brentwood Hearing Center is happy to help you establish a baseline, address a current loss or simply answer any questions you might have about the testing process. Give us a call today at (615) 866-0431 to learn more about how we can help you.