There is debate over the cause of age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis. There are many reasons that can cause this. There is no singular reason that causes age-related hearing loss. Noise can be one of the many reasons of presbycusis. Loud noises over a lifetime can cause hearing issues. Due to it happening over time, you hardly notice it so you don’t correct it. When the individual gets older, the condition is in its most severe stage.

In fact, there was a study done with the Mabaan tribe of Sudan in 1962. Their remote location isolated them from the loud noises common in urban areas. The study showed that there was almost no sign of a loss of hearing with people of the tribe aged 25 to 75. Is it time to find yourself a dense jungle to live in?

Signs Of Hearing Loss

  • Frustration due to difficulty hearing people talk to you.
  • The volume of the TV or radio is right to you, but others find it to be too loud.
  • You’re in a noisy area and you find it harder to hear compared to your companions.
  • Difficulty in differentiating certain sounds, like “s” or “th”.
  • You hear a ringing sound in your ears.
  • Social detachment because you can’t seem to hear what others are saying.

If you have any of these symptoms, have a physical exam done by your healthcare provider. A complete physical exam will find if your hearing loss is a symptom of a medical condition.

Wax build-up could also have caused your hearing loss. Excess wax is easy to remove from your body. Sometimes though, when we clean our ears, we can push earwax further inside. This can also be from our glands making too much earwax. The wax then hardens inside our ear, resulting in difficulty in hearing. This is usually easy to treat and is pain-free.

Preserving Your Ability To Hear

Hearing is essential to everyday living. So, you must make a point to care for it.

  1. Avoid loud noises. Living in an urban area leads to hearing loud, ear-damaging noises every now and then. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the things you hear. Stay alert. As much as possible, stray away from loud noises. Keep the audio from your devices at mild volumes. When loud noises are a part of work, or everyday life, make sure then that you have hearing protection. Ear plugs or ear muffs are great protection devices for your ears.
  2. Watch what medicines you’re taking. Be careful of the drugs that you’re taking. Some may have side effects of hearing loss. Consult your physician when taking new drugs. If you feel that a medication you’re taking is affecting your hearing, let your doctor know.
  3. Do what you can to avoid Diabetes. Studies show that diabetics are more likely to have hearing loss than those who don’t have it.

Facing age-related hearing loss is scary. With the right people by your side helping you through, it doesn’t have to be. Call Chicago Beltone today at (800) 900-6187. Schedule your consultation with our specialists today. We are happy to help improve your quality of life!

Tags: age