Age-related hearing loss

What is age-related hearing loss?

Hearing ability naturally declines over time. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) develops slowly, often over many years, so many people do not notice it until family and friends do.

Hearing loss is often treated as non-urgent, but recent research links it to a higher risk of cognitive decline in older adults and to a poorer quality of life. Addressing it early is worthwhile.

What causes age-related hearing loss?

The loss occurs because of permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear (the cochlea). These cells turn sound into signals for the brain, and once damaged they do not regrow. For this reason age-related hearing loss generally cannot be reversed medically.

What are the symptoms?

Women's and children's voices can be harder to follow than deep male voices, because they sit at higher pitches.

• Reduced sensitivity to high-frequency sounds, often the first sign
• Difficulty hearing in noisy places
• Some sounds seeming overly loud or intolerable
• Trouble telling where sentences begin and end
• A ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus)
• Turning the television up louder than others need
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Difficulty understanding conversations over the telephone

How is it diagnosed and treated?

A hearing test with our audiologist measures how well you hear at different pitches and how clearly you understand speech. Results are explained in the same appointment.

Management focuses on making the most of your remaining hearing:

• Hearing devices, trialled through a hearing aid assessment
• Assistive listening devices for the television, phone or group settings
• Counselling and communication strategies for you and your family

When should I see an audiologist or doctor?

Book a hearing test if you notice any of the symptoms above, even if they seem mild. See a doctor promptly if hearing drops suddenly, or if you have hearing loss in one ear only, dizziness or ear pain.