Did you know that half of all adults who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss? Additionally, the National Institutes on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimate that 1 in every 3 adults who are between the ages of 65 – 74 also have hearing loss. These revealing statistics highlight how pervasive age related hearing loss is. Though it is common, it still remains undertreated. In fact, it takes an average of 7 years for people to seek treatment for hearing loss from the time they first start experiencing symptoms. Understanding the factors that contribute to this can illuminate the importance of seeking action as early as possible.
What is age-related hearing loss?
Age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, disproportionately impacts older adults. It typically occurs when hair cells in the inner ear are damaged. These sensory cells play a critical role in how we hear and process speech as well as sound. They receive sound waves and convert them into electrical signals that get sent to the brian. The brain is then able to further process these signals and assign meaning to them which is what allows us to understand what we hear.
Age related hearing loss can be caused by a few factors that damage these delicate hair cells. This includes:
- The cumulative toll of repeated exposure to loud noise over time
- Changes in blood supply which can be caused by other medical conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
- Less common but another factor can be changes to the ear: damaged ear drum, growths, injury to ossicles bones in the middle ear etc.
These factors can damage the hair cells in the inner ear which do not regenerate. Humans are born with all the hair cells we will ever have. This means that any damage is permanent, resulting in chronic hearing loss.
How untreated is age related hearing loss?
Hearing loss is still drastically undertreated. It is estimated that only one third of people who could benefit from treatment actually receive it. Numerous studies also highlight widespread inaction when it comes to hearing loss. This includes a 2021 study that was conducted by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association. To understand how pervasive undertreatment of age related hearing hearing loss is, researchers conducted a survey of nearly 2,500 adults. They found that:
- 2 in 10 adults have had a hearing test in the past 5 years, compared to 6 in 10 adults who have had their vision tested.
- More than 51% of people reported hearing issues but only 11% have sought treatment.
- 78% of people with hearing issues have been experiencing these challenges for 1 or more years, and over 35% have had trouble for 5 or more years.
These findings reveal the scope of untreated hearing loss. People often report that they delay seeking treatment because their hearing loss doesn’t seem severe. But untreated hearing loss can take a toll on all facets of life by straining communication, relationships, social life, and work performance. So even though it can be difficult to acknowledge changes to your hearing health, it is critical to intervene as early as possible to protect your health and wellness.
How is hearing loss treated?
Fortunately, age related hearing loss is treatable. There are effective hearing solutions that can transform your hearing health. The first step is to have your hearing assessed by a hearing healthcare specialist like an audiologist. Hearing evaluations involve a painless process that assesses your hearing capacities in both ears. This identifies any hearing loss and the degree of impairment that could be present in each ear. Once your hearing needs are established, your audiologist is able to recommend optimal treatment options.
Hearing aids are the most common way hearing loss is treated. These are electronic devices that are equipped with the technology to absorb, amplify, and process sound. This provides the ears and brain with ample support, maximizing one’s hearing capacity. Hearing aids alleviate symptoms and allow people to navigate communication and conversations with more ease. This offers numerous benefits like improving relationships, enriching social life, boosting confidence etc. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation which will allow us to get to know you and your hearing needs!