Otolaryngology



Otolaryngology



Otolaryngology


Otolaryngology & Bronchoesophagology

Presbycusis

What is presbycusis?

Presbycusis is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people age. It is a common disorder associated with aging. One in three older adults over age 60 has hearing loss. Half of people over age 75 have hearing loss.

Presbycusis usually occurs gradually, with some people not immediately aware of the change.

What causes presbycusis?

There may be many causes for presbycusis, but it most commonly occurs because of age-related changes in the following locations:

within the inner ear
within the middle ear
along the nerve pathways to the brain

Contributors to presbycusis include:

cumulative effects of environmental noises
loss of hair cells (sensory receptors in inner ear)
hereditary factors
aging
health
side effects of some medications

What are the symptoms of presbycusis?

The following are the most common symptoms of presbycusis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

speech of others sounds mumbled or slurred

high-pitched sounds, such as "s" or "th" are hard to distinguish

conversations are difficult to understand, particularly when there is background noise

men's voices are easier to hear than women's

some sounds seem overly loud and annoying

tinnitus may occur in one or both ears

The symptoms of presbycusis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for presbycusis:

Specific treatment for presbycusis will be determined by the physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

Treatment options for presbycusis may include the following:

avoiding loud noises and reducing noise exposure
wearing ear plugs or special fluid-filled ear muffs (to prevent further damage to hearing)
hearing aid(s)
assistive devices such as telephone amplifiers
training in speechreading - using visual cues to determine what is being said

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For more information about the otolaryngological care at Rush visit the Otolaryngology home page.

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Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders Hearing Disorders Presbycusis