As you age, it’s natural to experience some declining health issues. Some of the issues connected with aging can be controlled with proper diet and exercise. Others are not so easily controlled. If you are between 65 and 74 years old, there is a 1 in 3 chance that you have Presbycusis, commonly known as age-related hearing loss. More alarming is that by the time you reach 75, you have a 1 in 2 chance of having age-related hearing loss. Research shows that untreated hearing loss is linked to a litany of other health problems including depression, dementia, diabetes, cardiovascaular disease and others.
The good news is that you don’t have to live with poor hearing. Your hearing can be successfully managed so that you can stay more engaged, more interested and more active. To help preserve your hearing health, visit our local audiologist, Scarlet Aviles. She will perform a hearing evaluation so you understand how your hearing health is now and what you can do about it if it needs attention.
Age-related Hearing Loss Facts
Generally slow and progressive onset that affects both ears equally
High frequencies are affected first; low frequencies are affected later
A first warning sign may be an inability to understand people well in crowded environments.
It is not uncommon for someone diagnosed with hearing loss to wait 10 years before they are fit with hearing instruments
Age-related Hearing Loss Factors
Age
Genetics
Noise Exposure
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
Proper communication is integral to living a full and fulfilling life. Living with untreated hearing loss inhibits good communication, negatively affecting you and those around you. If you are over 65, you should get regular hearing evaluations. If hearing impairment is discovered, the wise decision is to treat it as soon as possible to maintain the highest possible quality of life.
Today, hearing loss has been independently linked to a number of serious health conditions. If you or someone you know is living with the following conditions:
Diabetes
High Cholesterol
Cardiovascular Disease
Alzheimer's and Dementia
Kidney Disease
it is important to understand the connection to hearing loss. Hearing loss can also be a result of aging and a side effect of taking certain medications.
