One in three people older than 60 years of age have some degree of hearing loss and one in two people over the age of 85 will have hearing loss. Hearing loss is related to the aging process, and it is a combination of changes to blood flow and the structures of the inner ear, changes to the nerve of hearing, and how the brain processes speech and sounds.
We usually see a gradual hearing loss that affects the high-pitched sounds (i.e., birds singing, leaves rustling in the wind…) and the hearing loss is noticed by the subtle changes in hearing over time. Common symptoms of age-related hearing loss include having difficulty hearing softer voices, women and children’s voices, and speech in the presence of background noises, as well as the loss of speech clarity.
Hearing loss related to the aging process can be increased by other factors such as diabetes, poor blood circulation, noise exposure and certain medications. Moreover, adults who have hearing loss, yet they go untreated (they do not wear hearing aids) can experience a decreased quality of life. Hearing loss has been linked to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and poor social relationships.
The best way to treat hearing loss is with hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids are digital and can automatically adjust to sound, ensuring that speech is comfortable and natural sounding.
If you think you or a loved one has a hearing loss, we will strongly recommend that you come visit us at the Hearing Institute of Ontario or you can schedule a free hearing test and consultation by calling 1-888-664-2999. We look forward to supporting you through your hearing journey.
