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What are the symptoms of age-related hearing loss?

Symptoms of hearing loss in adults may include: • Difficulty following conversations either when it is quiet or when there is background noise; • Having trouble distinguishing between high-pitched and low-pitched sounds; • Thinking that others are mumbling, and; • Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus - this can appear and disappear at regular intervals, stop completely or become permanent.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is age-related hearing loss?

Age-related hearing loss is the partial or complete loss of hearing that develops with age.

What causes age-related hearing loss?

In most cases of age-related hearing loss, there is an accumulation of damage to the nerve cells in the inner ear that are involved in conveying sound from the ear to the brain. Once this damage reaches a certain level, hearing loss becomes apparent. …

Who can develop age-related hearing loss?

Hearing loss becomes increasingly more common in people over the age of 65.

How is age-related hearing loss diagnosed?

Diagnosis of hearing loss may include a detailed physical examination that includes a thorough examination of the ear. To assess the level of your hearing loss, your doctor may use a tuning fork and an audiometer (a device that produces different …

How is age-related hearing loss treated?

Treatment of age-related hearing loss depends on the underlying causes. Where correctable causes of hearing loss are not present, there are various devices available to help support people with hearing loss, such as: • Alert systems for doorbells, …

Can age-related hearing loss be prevented?

You can reduce its likelihood of hearing loss occurring, or slow its progression, by limiting exposure to loud noises, wearing ear protection when in a loud environment, and maintaining good ear hygiene.

What is the outlook for age-related hearing loss?

Hearing loss is a progressive condition. However, it can be managed by using a hearing aid that amplifies the surrounding sounds. Other assistive systems include visual cues or vibrations for devices such as doorbells, smoke detectors or …

What can make age-related hearing loss worse?

Risk factors for developing age-related hearing loss include: • Excessive exposure to occupational and recreational noises; • Earwax build-up; • Genetics; • Smoking; • Having poorly-controlled diabetes; • Head injury, and; • Recurrent ear …

How common is age-related hearing loss?

Hearing loss affects up to one in three people over the age of 65.

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About this article

Author: Lauren Donley BSc (Hons)
First answered: 26 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Votes: 1037 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Earwax

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