Does Hearing Always Get Worse with Age?

Hearing loss is a common problem that can come with the aging process. Around half of people over the age of 75 have some amount of hearing loss; however, half of seniors can hear well. Why do some people have hearing loss while others don’t? Let’s investigate.  

What Causes Age-Related Hearing Loss? 

There are several causes of age-related hearing loss, including genetics, the cumulative exposure to loud sounds over time, and exposure to certain medications and chemicals. 

Genetics

Scientists have identified several genetic factors that increase the likelihood of age-related hearing loss. An estimated 35-55% of age-related hearing loss is caused by these genes. However, many of these genes are only activated by certain environmental conditions. So, while Jane might be genetically more likely to be harmed by loud noises than someone else, if she always wears appropriate hearing protection, she should be just fine.

Loud Sounds

Noise exposure is the primary cause of age-related hearing loss. Extremely loud noises such as explosions can cause sudden hearing loss at any age, while lower volumes cause cumulative damage over time.

For example, the National Institute of Occupational Safety (NIOSH) says that just 28 seconds of a 115 decibel (dB) sound can hurt your ears. Gunshots, firecrackers, and ambulance sirens exceed 115 dB, as can rock concerts and symphony orchestras. In eight hours, 85 dB can cause damage, while 70 dB can damage your ears in 24 hours. Loud restaurants can easily top 85 dB, which means that staff working an eight-hour shift are at risk. Busy urban intersections can be 70 dB or more.

Simply put, any time you need to raise your voice to be heard, your hearing could be at risk.

Medications and Other Chemicals

More than 200 medications can be ototoxic (damaging to the ears), including: 

* Pain medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, when taken regularly and in high doses

* Some antibiotics in the group known as aminoglycosides

* Some antidepressants

* Certain types of chemotherapy drugs

Hearing-related side effects from medication are rare but if you take any medication (even drugstore meds), see your doctor right away if you have trouble hearing.

If you have questions about your specific medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

Preventing Age-Related Hearing Loss

While you can’t change your genetics, you can take good care of your ears. Here are some tips:

* Wear ear protection in noisy environments.

* Lower the volume when listening to music, playing games, or watching TV, especially when using earbuds.

* Don’t stick anything, including Q-tips, in your ears.

* Have your hearing checked every ten years until age 50, and then every three years after that.

The best way to look after your hearing is to see your doctor right away if you notice any ear problems or difficulty hearing.

Trusted Resources

SonoVive -  The Hearing Loss Solution

Cortexi – Hearing & Tinnitus Relief,

NeuroRise – Improve Hearing stop Tinnitus

VidaCalm - Tinnitus and Ear Health

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You understand that the blog posts and comments to such blog posts (whether posted by us, our agents or bloggers, or by users) do not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind, and you should not rely on any information contained in such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified health care professionals to meet your individual needs.