Age-related hearing loss is the slow loss of hearing that occurs as people get older.
Alternative Names: Hearing loss - age related; Presbycusis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis. It is unknown whether a specific cause such as noise trauma leads to presbycusis, but there appears to be a genetic predisposition.
Age-related hearing loss tends to occur in families. The disorder occurs in about 30 - 35% of people aged 65 - 75. Hearing loss occurs in an estimated 50% of people age 75 and older.
Symptoms:
The loss of hearing occurs slowly over time. It usually starts with problems hearing high-frequency sounds, such as someone talking. It may be difficult to hear things in noisy areas.
Signs and tests:
Your doctor may find wax in the ear that can be a contributing factor. Often the exam is unrevealing. Audiology or other testing determines the extent of hearing loss.
Treatment:
There is no known cure for age-related hearing loss. Treatment is focused on functional improvement. Hearing aids, which provide amplification, may help. Developing skills such as lip reading and using visual cues may aid communication, but these may be difficult skills for older people to learn.
Support Groups:
Expectations (prognosis):
Age-related hearing loss is progressive, which means it slowly gets worse. The disorder is not dangerous, but it leads to increasing difficulty with communication.
Complications:
Deafness is a complication. Deafness-related complications include social isolation and the inability to hear fire alarms.
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if hearing loss occurs or worsens.
Prevention:
Review Date: 8/6/2008 Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Sandra W. Cohen, MD Private Practice specializing in geriatrics, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/6/2006).
