What is Presbycusis
Presbycusis is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as we age . It’s one of the most common conditions affecting adults, with around one in three adults over 65 having hearing loss.
Presbycusis typically affects both ears and develops slowly over time. People with presbycusis may find it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds, such as birds singing or a conversation with a woman’s voice. Speech, especially in noisy environments, can become muffled and hard to understand.
Signs of presbycusis:
- You often need to ask people to repeat themselves.
- You have trouble hearing conversations, especially in noisy places.
- You find it hard to hear consonants, such as s, f, and th.
- You turn up the volume on the TV or radio higher than others need it.
- You think other people are mumbling or speaking softly.
Treatment
There is no cure for presbycusis, but there are ways to manage it. Hearing aids can be very effective in amplifying sound and improving hearing. There are also a number of strategies that can help people with presbycusis communicate more effectively, such as:
- Asking people to speak slowly and clearly.
- Facing the person who is speaking.
- Reducing background noise.
- Using lipreading and facial expressions to help understand speech.
If you are concerned that you may have hearing loss, it is important to see a doctor or audiologist for a hearing test. Early diagnosis and intervention can help you manage your hearing loss and improve your communication.