Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) affects about 1 in 3 adults over 65 and nearly half of adults over 75. While hearing loss is normal as you get older, you don’t have to live with the symptoms. Treatment options like hearing aids can help you live a high quality of life with hearing loss.
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the decline in hearing that many people experience as they grow older.
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Age-related hearing loss is most likely to occur after the age of 65.
Almost 1 in 3 adults experience hearing loss between the ages of 65 and 74. After age 75, about half of all adults have trouble hearing.
Most obviously, the primary symptom of age-related hearing loss is difficulty hearing. Hearing loss symptoms may also present as:
Most commonly, presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) comes from changes in the inner ear that occur as you age. It typically affects both ears equally and has a gradual onset. Many people have a combination of age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. Over time, loud noises can damage your sensory hair cells, one of the parts of your ear that allows hearing.
Causes of hearing loss can vary. You are more likely to experience age-related hearing loss if you have:
A hearing loss diagnosis begins by looking inside your ear. Your healthcare provider uses a tool called an otoscope (small magnifying instrument with a light) to look at your eardrum and outer ear canal. This exam checks for eardrum damage, inflammation (redness and swelling) or infection.
Your healthcare provider may refer you to an audiologist (hearing specialist) or otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist). During the test, your audiologist will have you listen to a series of beeps through a set of headphones and respond when you hear each sound. You will also listen for words presented at various loudness levels and repeat them back. The audiologist will use an audiogram to graph your hearing sensitivity, which can help give the provider clues about the type, degree and cause of your hearing loss.
Treatment for hearing impairment depends on the severity of your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend:
Experts don’t know how to prevent age-related hearing loss. You can reduce your risk of losing hearing as you get older by protecting yourself from noise-induced hearing loss.
You can minimize noise-induced hearing loss by:
Using hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs when you can't avoid loud sounds.
Age-related hearing loss is a progressive condition, meaning it gets worse over time. But you can manage hearing loss with hearing aids or other treatments. Most people with age-related hearing loss can manage their condition and continue to live a full and active life.
You may ask your family or other loved ones to help you make it easier to live with hearing loss. Sharing about your hearing loss with others can help you find support to cope with the condition.
You can better manage your hearing loss by:
Age-related hearing loss is a typical part of aging. Many people experience a combination of age-related and noise-induced hearing loss. You can’t prevent age-related hearing loss. You can reduce your chances of experiencing noise-induced hearing loss by limiting prolonged exposure to loud noises. Treatment options may include assistive listening devices, hearing aids or implants. While hearing loss is normal as you get older, getting the right treatment can help you live a high quality of life.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/07/2021.
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