| As one ages, the ear ossicles tend to fuse, thereby | | | | Presbycusis is a sensorineural hearing disorder. This |
| conducting sound of low frequencies only. This loss of | | | | may also occur due to the changes in the blood supply |
| hearing is caused by nerve impairment which is | | | | to the ear because of heart diseases, high blood |
| common in the elderly. This condition of hearing loss is | | | | pressure, vascular conditions caused by diabetes, or |
| termed as presbycusis, and progresses with age. It is | | | | other circulatory problems. This loss may be mild, |
| a result of the degeneration of nerve tissue in the ear | | | | moderate, or severe. At times presbycusis may be a |
| and the vestibulocochlear nerve. About 30 to 35% | | | | conductive hearing disorder. This means that the loss |
| adults between the age of 65 and 75 and | | | | of sound sensitivity may be caused by abnormalities |
| approximately 40% people above the age of 75 | | | | of the outer ear and/or middle ear. Such abnormalities |
| suffer through this disease. This hearing loss is | | | | may include limited or reduced function of the tympanic |
| generally associated with high pitched sounds like that | | | | membrane or reduced function of the ossicles in the |
| of a chirping bird or the ringing of a telephone. On the | | | | middle ear that carry sound waves from the tympanic |
| contrary, low pitched sounds are very clearly audible. | | | | membrane to the inner ear. |
| Presbycusis can occur due to various reasons. It | | | | There are many ways in which presbycusis may be |
| generally arises due to the changes in the inner ear | | | | treated. Hearing aid might be a solution to a few |
| because of aging, but it may also occur due to the | | | | people while the others may not benefit much from it. |
| changes in the middle ear or certain changes in the | | | | With age-related hearing loss becoming very common, |
| nerve pathways leading to the brain, which are of a | | | | a lot of research is being done. For example, a few |
| very complex nature. Presbycusis usually occurs in | | | | scientists have managed to identify and map some |
| both ears and affects them equally. As the loss is | | | | genetic causes of age-related hearing loss. In addition |
| very gradual in this case, people might not realize that | | | | to this, a possible link between smoking and hearing |
| their hearing power is diminishing. | | | | loss in later years has been discovered. |
| Sounds may seem less clear and at a lower volume | | | | The Canadian Journal of Speech-Language |
| for those suffering from Presbycusis. This results in | | | | Pathology and Audio logy has devoted an entire issue |
| difficulty in hearing and understanding speech which | | | | to Hearing Loss and Aging (June 1997 special issue). |
| may seem mumbled or slurred. High pitches notes | | | | The preface despite being lengthy is quite informative |
| such as 's' and 'th' are difficult to distinguish, while a | | | | and provides links to informative material. |
| man's voice may seem clearer rather than a high | | | | Everyone as they get older might suffer some kind of |
| pitched woman's voice. Certain sounds may seem | | | | hearing loss if you have family member who you |
| uncomfortably loud and at times annoying. Tinnitus may | | | | suspect might have a hearing problem, get them to |
| also occur. | | | | visit a professional and get some advice.. |