What is presbycusis?

Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, generally characterized by trouble hearing high-pitched sounds. Here are some statistics that show how presbycusis increases with age¹:

• Age 55–64: 1 in 4 people
• Age 65–74: 1 in 3 people
• Age 75 and up: 1 in 2 people

Hearing loss occurs gradually, affects both ears the same way and progresses differently in each person.

Symptoms

People with presbycusis tend to:

• Ask people to repeat themselves
• Turn up the volume on the TV
• Have trouble understanding speech in noisy environments or when in a group
• Not hear certain sounds (a telephone ringing, birds chirping)
• And more

Causes

Presbycusis is caused by “normal” aging of the ear, namely the cilia in the cochlea, the hearing organ located in the inner ear. Over time, cilia age, become damaged and work less well, which makes the perception of sounds and speech understanding more difficult. The areas of the brain responsible for hearing are then under-stimulated.

Other factors can contribute to presbycusis:

• Decreased effectiveness of the structures of the middle ear (eardrum and ossicles)
• Decreased effectiveness of the nerves that send information from the ear to the brain

Effects on communication

Presbycusis causes trouble hearing certain sounds, particularly higher-pitched sounds. People with presbycusis can hear voices, but may not understand individual words because they can’t hear certain sounds in the sentence. For example, they may have trouble hearing the difference between “ten” and “then” or “my” and “guy.”

Recommendations

Damage to the inner ear is irreversible, so there are no medications or medical treatments to improve hearing. Instead, solutions are intended to compensate for hearing loss rather than cure it.

First, it is recommended to have an audiologist perform a hearing assessment. Next, if necessary, hearing aids will be offered as the primary solution. They help wearers hear and understand better in everyday life. We also encourage the use of communication strategies to improve understanding of speech. Other technological solutions are available, such as assistive listening devices.

Talk to a hearing health professional practicing in a Lobe clinic to learn more! To find the nearest clinic, click here.