Hearing loss can happen in many different ways. However, there is no denying that a lot of people end up experiencing hearing loss because of the natural aging process. Nevertheless, one worrying thing about this type of hearing loss is that it is often untreated.
Known as presbycusis, age-related hearing loss impacts older adults. The most frequent cause of hearing loss that is related to age is when the hair cells within the inner ear breakdown naturally. When this happens, the sound will reach the inner ear, however, the hair cells have broken down and because of this, the sound signal is not going to be able to reach the brain. This is what we call sensorineural hearing loss.
Nevertheless, this is not the only way that this sort of hearing loss, age-related hearing loss, can happen. It can also occur due to changes relating to your age that may have an impact on the bones or the eardrum of the middle ear. This is what we call conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss can have an impact on how effectively sound is able to move into the inner part of your ear.
If you have hearing loss that is age-related, you may not realize that this is the case. The reason for this is because people tend to lose their hearing at a very slow pace when they are older.
Without fully realizing it, you may start to make small changes over time to accommodate for your hearing loss. For example, you may turn up the volume on your television a little bit one week, and then it may keep creeping up and up as time goes on. However, because you are only moving the volume up a little bit every time, this can make it difficult for you to realize that you are doing it.
It is often the case that family and friends are the first people to realize that we have hearing problems. They may comment on how loudly you are listening to the television or radio, for instance. They may have noticed that you are struggling to keep up with group conversations. While it can be difficult to hear, if a family member does approach you about your hearing loss, it is a good idea to get an appointment book with an audiologist at the earliest opportunity.
This will enable them to carry out a full examination. It could simply be that you have some blocked earwax. However, if it is hearing loss, the sooner you get the right treatment, the better.
As you can see, though, it is not difficult to understand why age-related hearing loss can often end up being untreated. A lot of people feel too embarrassed to talk about this, and so they sit and experience silence. However, for the most part, a lot of people do not realize that they are having hearing troubles straight away because they keep making very small changes to account for this, which are not very noticeable.
Understanding the impact of hearing loss
Now that we have looked at the different reasons why hearing loss can end up being untreated when it is age-related, let’s take a look at the impact of hearing loss. The impact of hearing loss can differ from person-to-person. It all depends on the individual in question and the nature of the hearing loss that they are experiencing.
Most people will encounter a reduced ability to understand what others are saying. This is especially the case in a group dynamic. This can be frustrating, as it can impact you while at work and in a social setting too.
If your hearing loss is not treated, it can have other negative effects too. You can experience higher stress levels, headaches and muscle tension. The social withdrawal associated with hearing loss can also have a knock-on effect. This is why it is vital to see an audiologist sooner rather than later, even if the symptoms are only mild.
Contact us today
If you are worried about age-related hearing loss, whether it pertains to a loved one or yourself, all you need to do is get in touch with Professional Hearing Aid Associates today for more information. Contact us today at (785) 940-4101. You will speak with one of our friendly and experienced team members who will be happy to assist you in any way they can.
