Age related hearing loss can be devastating and debilitating in many cases, but that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. There are some treatments that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of age related hearing loss and significantly improve your life quality. In this article, we’re going to explore some of the most common treatments for age related hearing loss. But first, we’re going to touch on its symptoms and causes.
What are the Symptoms of Age Related Hearing Loss?
Age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is fairly common among the elderly. In most cases, people affected by presbycusis report a difficulty to hear high pitch sounds. Since voices are often high pitched, one of the first symptoms is difficulty hearing speech. You may have more difficulty with certain high pitched consonants as well, such Ss, Ts, Ks, Ps and Fs.
Men’s voices may also appear clearer than women’s voices because of their pitch, and hearing can become especially problematic in high noise environments. Speech can sound mumbled and can be accompanied with ringing in the ears, vision changes, disorientation or dizziness. If you happen to experience more than two of these symptoms, you should definitely consider consulting a doctor immediately.
What are the Causes of Age Related Hearing Loss?
Other than age, many factors may be at cause. One of the most common culprits is genetic predisposition. In many cases, you might be hereditarily predisposed to developing the condition later on. Other factors such as repeated exposition to loud sounds can be at cause, so if you’ve worked most of your years in noisy environments, you might be more at risk of developing the condition. Smokers are also more prone to developing presbycusis as they age.
What are the Treatments for Age Related Hearing Loss?
Most of the time, a patient will be required to wear hearing aids if the condition is severe. While hearing aids will usually not restore your hearing completely, they work to improve your hearing using technology. There are also implants that can be used to improve hearing, but this is usually reserved for extreme cases.
While age related hearing loss can be difficult to accept, it is still manageable with the right tools. But, it all starts with working with a good and attentive doctor that will be able to recommend the best treatment options for your condition. If you feel like you may be experiencing age related hearing loss, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best ENT doctor in NYC.
Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation.
