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What is age-related hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) occurs gradually during the ageing process.
This type of hearing loss usually affects both ears.
Depending on certain factors, age-related hearing loss can start as early as in your 30s or 40s, and usually increases gradually over time.
It’s one of the most common conditions affecting older and elderly adults.
Book a free test for age-related hearing loss
Book a free hearing test to find out whether you have presbycusis.
We’ll explain this kind of hearing loss in more detail and suggest treatment options that are tailored to you.
Question 1 of 1
Are you older than 55?
What causes age-related hearing loss?
The main cause of age-related hearing loss is ageing.
It’s usually due to changes in your inner ear which happen as you get older. There are several factors that have an impact on developing age-related hearing loss, such as:
- Genes
- Certain medical conditions
- Side effects of certain drugs and medications
- Age
- Smoking
- Repeated exposure to loud noises
Did you know?
While men are more likely to develop a hearing loss in higher frequencies, women often have hearing loss in lower frequencies.
The frequency of your hearing loss refers to which sounds you are having trouble hearing: high-pitched or low-pitched.
6 common signs and symptoms of age-related hearing loss
The signs and symptoms of age-related hearing loss can vary from person to person, but some of the most common symptoms include:
1. Difficulty following group conversations (especially when there’s background noise)
2. Trouble understanding speech over loudspeakers in public places – such as in an airport or at work
3. Loud noises are more irritating than they used to be
4. Sounds seem unclear or people sound like they are mumbling
5. Low-pitched voices seem easier to hear than high-pitched voices
6. You hear ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears (tinnitus)
How is age-related hearing loss treated?
If you have age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), the best treatment will depend on your overall health, age and the severity of the loss.
The most common treatment for age-related hearing loss is hearing aids, but the treatment may also include using assistive devices and/or learning lip reading techniques.
How can you protect your hearing as you age?
Age-related hearing loss is irreversible, so prevention is really important. Some of the most effective ways to help prevent it include:
- Avoiding (or reducing exposure to) excessively loud noises
- Avoiding smoking
- Seeking treatment for hearing health conditions (such as ear infections)
- Wearing ear protection in loud environments (e.g. ear plugs or ear defenders)
Age-related hearing loss FAQs
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Age-related hearing loss happens gradually. In most cases, it affects both ears. It often begins in your 50s and increases gradually over time.
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You can book a free hearing test call us on 0800 0372 080 and you’ll get your results on the same day as your appointment.
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Most people with age-related hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, which can help you to hear and communicate more easily. Only a very small percentage of hearing loss cases require medical treatments and/or surgical procedures. Follow the link for more information about hearing loss treatment.
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Age-related hearing loss is irreversible since it’s caused by damage to sensory cells which can't be restored. But this type of hearing loss can be treated effectively with hearing aids.
