by Kaitlin Engelke, AuD

Hearing loss has many causes such as aging, noise exposure, infections, and even genetic factors just to name a few. Age-related hearing loss is also known as presbycusis and is described as the slow loss of hearing in both ears due to damage to the sensory cells of the inner ear. Some symptoms of presbycusis include difficulty hearing high pitch sounds, like birds chirping or doorbell rings, and difficulty having conversations in the presence of background noise. Because this type of hearing loss occurs slowly, it may not be noticed right away. 

Just like any other health concern, it is important to treat hearing loss sooner rather than later. However, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America, it takes about seven years for an individual to seek treatment after noticing changes in hearing. There could be many reasons as to why someone may wait longer before seeking treatment, such as fear of ageism or not having anyone to compare their situation with. But, there are many more reasons as to why you shouldn’t wait. Treating hearing loss earlier in life can reduce strain on relationships due to communication breakdowns, reduce listening fatigue, and prevent social isolation.

Have you ever been in a situation where you misunderstood the question/comment and made an inappropriate response? Do you often need others to repeat what they said? Do you have to strain to make out what people say? If you said yes to any of these questions, it could be indicative of a hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss begins in the range of high pitch sounds and depending on the degree of loss, some or all speech sounds may no longer be audible. High pitch sounds include /s/, /f/, and /th/ sounds, which are important for distinguishing words that sound alike. Without proper access to these sounds, it can be easy to mistake what people are saying. People often begin to withdraw from social settings when they are having a hard time understanding conversations, especially when there is a lot of background noise. Hearing aids and assistive listening devices can make it easier for someone to participate in social situations and keep active with their hobbies, which improves overall well-being.

 It can also be difficult to focus on conversation with a hearing loss and cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Untreated hearing loss causes a strain on the brain. Our brains recruit other systems, like vision and memory, to help fill in the gaps from hearing loss. However, this can lead to earlier onset of fatigue and irritability due to excessive energy expenditure to listen.  Even with a mild hearing loss, hearing aids can provide the necessary clarity and reduce listening fatigue so you can have more energy for daily activities. Don’t wait until hearing difficulties are holding you back in life, get your hearing check done sooner rather than later.