If you're in your early sixties and take excellent care of your ears, you may not expect to lose some of your hearing. But if your hearing tends to fluctuate during the day, ask a specialist to examine your ears soon. You may have age-related hearing loss. Learn more about age-related hearing loss and how a hearing exam can help you below.
What's Age-Related Hearing Loss?
Some adults can experience age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, as they grow older. If you take good care of your ears, your loss of hearing may come as a surprise to you and your loved ones.
Age-related hearing loss can run in families, which means it can pass from family member to family member over time. For example, if an individual's parent experienced age-related hearing loss in old age, they may experience it as well. One of the individual's children may also experience some type of hearing loss at birth or later on in life.
So if hearing loss does run in your family, it may be a reason you have problems with your hearing now. The best way to determine whether or not age-related hearing loss caused your loss of hearing or something else is to have an exam.
Why Happens During Your Hearing Exam?
If age affected your hearing, a hearing exam or test can confirm it. A hearing exam allows a specialist to check every aspect of your hearing, including how well you pick up sounds from afar and at a distance. An exam can also determine how well your ears can tolerate sounds at different levels, such as barely audible sounds and really loud sounds.
For example, if you can't tolerate or stand loud noises, then you may have problems with your auditory nerve or inner ear. The auditory nerve and inner ear ensure sounds reach your brain at different levels. If the sounds entering your brain are too loud or chaotic, then the tissues in your ears may be damaged or compromised. Hearing aids will normally improve your ability to hear and regulate sounds.
If you struggle to hear whispers and other soft sounds, then you may have fluid or heavy wax in your ears. A specialist can generally solve this hearing issue by clearing your ear canals.
You can prepare for your hearing exam by getting plenty of rest the night before your appointment. Try to avoid loud music, television, and other things that can aggravate your ears.
You can find more information about presbycusis by consulting a hearing specialist or audiologist today.
Share16 March 2023
