Age Related Hearing Loss (Presbyacusis)


Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbyacusis)
Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss is a gradual progression in hearing deterioration which happens because of factors in the hearing apparatus.

The Hearing Loss can be 

  • Sensory (loss of Hair Cells in the Cochlea), 
  • Neural (some abnormality in the Neural pathways which transmit sound from the Inner Ear to the Brain), 
  • Strial (due to damage in the cells of the Stria Vascularis) or sometimes, 
  • Mixed -  a combination of the above pathologies.
Some Statistics (UK)
  • Hearing loss at age 17-30 was only 1.8 % (in the better hearing ear). this went up to 60% in the age group 71-80 years of age.
  • The prevalence of hearing loss approximately doubles every decade of life.

Causes

  1. AGE - the most obvious cause
  2. MALE SEX- more prone
  3. NOISE EXPOSURE - the higher the exposure to loud ambient noise, the greater the chance of developing a hearing loss
  4. GENETIC- if a close family member has hearing loss, you are more likely to get it
  5. COMORBIDITIES - Strong association with untreated Diabetes, Hypertension. Smoking history.
  6. SOCIOECONOMIC - Those who did not complete secondary education were found to be 3 times more prone to hearing loss than those who finished tertiary education.

Early Detection

Answer the following questions -
  1. Do I struggle to follow the conversation in quiet or in crowded situations
  2. Do I turn on the TV too loud?
  3. Do others hear sounds that I miss out on - like the ringing of a telephone?
  4. Does the speech on the telephone sound distort?
  5. Do i notice a constant buzzing/ humming sound in my ears?
If you answer yes to any one of the above you must have yourself checked out.

MANAGEMENT

Once you go to the ENT Specialist you will be examined and treatable causes will be addressed - wax, infection etc.
Subsequently, a detailed Audiogram (hearing assessment) will be done and your hearing loss will be charted out. A speech Audiogram may also be done to find out your ability to understand speech.
Once a hearing loss is detected Rehabilitation is the next course.
REHABILITATION
A person with Bilateral Symmetrical Progressive Hearing Loss is a candidate for hearing aid fitting.
A detailed trial is carried out and the best aid to suit the patient's requirement is prescribed.
TAKE AWAY MESSAGE 
There is a tendency to ignore a hearing loss since it is painless and gradual. This is a serious mistake. 
It is very well understood that long term untreated hearing loss leads to social isolation, depression, sometimes early cognitive decline as well as increasing your chances of having an accident.
The benefits are clear and immediate - increased revenue, better communication, ability to establish warmth and intimacy in a relationship, maintaining physical health, better mental functioning.
So my advice - the time to use a hearing aid is when you first feel you need it - do not delay the decision.



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