Understanding Age-Related Hearing Loss

You might be surprised to learn that about one in three people aged 65 to 74 have hearing loss, and nearly half of those over 75 struggle with hearing. While this is a normal part of getting older, it can still be difficult to adjust to. Age-related hearing loss can affect many aspects of your life, including how you interact with others and your sense of independence. So, how much do you really know about this common issue? More importantly, what can you do to manage it effectively?

What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss?

As individuals age, changes in their ears can lead to hearing loss. Hearing works through a series of steps: sounds enter the outer ear and pass through the ear canal to the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates, passing these vibrations to three tiny bones in the middle ear. These vibrations then move to the inner ear, where they are turned into electrical signals and sent to the brain by the auditory nerve.

There are many parts involved in converting sounds into signals that we can understand. Over time, these parts can become damaged due to aging. When this happens, it can make sounds seem muffled, distorted or quieter, affecting how well you hear.

How Can Hearing Loss Impact Your Daily Life?

When you experience hearing loss, you may begin to miss out on things. Your friends and family will have conversations in your vicinity or directly with you, and you might not hear everything that is said. This could cause you to misconstrue the conversation, miss out on important information or miss an invitation to an event. Over time, hearing loss can lead to feelings of isolation because it becomes harder to join in conversations with others. Everyday tasks, like talking to store clerks or customer service reps on the phone or making appointments, can also become challenging.

How Can Your Hearing Health Professional Improve Your Hearing?

While there is currently no cure for age-related hearing loss, there are preventative measures you can take to prevent your hearing loss from getting worse. Here are some ways your hearing health professional can assist you to hear better.

Hearing Aids

Your hearing care provider will work with you to help you understand the variety of hearing aids available. These are some of the most common types on the market today:

• Behind the Ear (BTE)
• In the Ear (ITE)
• Receiver in canal (RIC)
• In the Canal (ITC)

Earwax Removal

Hearing health professionals will look in your ear as part of the process to determine whether you are experiencing hearing loss. In turn, they may find a significant amount of earwax clogging your ear canal. If that is the case, they will remove the wax themselves.

Contact a Hearing Health Professionals Today

If you’re ready to discuss your hearing options and address age-related hearing loss, schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional. They can guide you through finding the best solutions for your hearing needs. They are there to help you improve your hearing and regain your confidence.