Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis. Presbycusis is a common condition. Age-related hearing loss is usually a gradual decrease in the ability to hear. The hearing loss may start as a decrease in the clarity of speech or slight hearing loss. Even people as young as twenty years old may develop a slight age-related hearing loss.

Age-related deafness can be caused by exposure to noise or by an impairment of the ability of the tiny, bony structures of the middle ear. These small bones can become rigid and therefore less able to pass the sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear.

The symptoms of age-related hearing loss are a decreased ability to hear speech clearly and hearing loss of sounds in certain ranges or frequencies. Similar speech sounds may become difficult to distinguish. Background noise can make this even more difficult. Because the hearing loss is usually gradual, friends and family may notice the hearing loss before the person with the hearing loss does.

Age-related deafness can affect one or both ears. If the age-related deafness affects one ear, the condition is described as unilateral. If the hearing loss affects both ears, it is called bilateral hearing loss. Unilateral hearing loss can make it difficult for the person to identify the source of sounds.

The severity of the age-related deafness is measured by a hearing test. A person may have lost the ability to hear sounds beneath the threshold determined by the hearing loss. The louder the threshold of the person’s hearing ability, the more severe the hearing loss is. If someone has lost the ability to hear high-frequency sounds, the hearing loss may be called high-frequency hearing loss.

Tinnitus may also be a symptom of age-related hearing loss. Tinnitus us hearing sounds like ringing, buzzing, or crackling that are not present in the person’s environment.

Hearing aids are a common treatment for age-related hearing loss. The hearing aids amplify sound so that the person can hear better. Many types of hearing aids are available and many can be personalized to meet the specific needs of the individual. Hearing aids may also help reduce the presence of tinnitus.