Age-related hearing loss

Hearing loss can happen for many reasons, but one of the most common is getting older. Medically, this is known as presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss (ARHL).

About one-third of all adults ages 65 to 70 have some degree of hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). About half of all people 75 and older have hearing loss.

Let's take a closer look at why hearing loss becomes more common with age, what signs to look out for, and when to seek help from a hearing specialist. 

What causes hearing loss in older adults?

As we age, the cells in our inner ear and auditory nerves can start to degrade. This is a type of sensorineural hearing loss, and it's typically caused by aging or noise exposure.

Most commonly, damage occurs to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, known as cilia. The cilia convert sound waves into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as recognizable sounds. More on how we hear. 

These cells do not regenerate or regrow. Any hearing loss we experience as a result of this damage is permanent. It is often progressive, too, meaning it gets worse over time. 

What are the symptoms of age-related hearing loss?

For the most part, the changes that cause ARHL take place over many years, making it harder to notice.

Some early symptoms of hearing loss include:

• You feel people mumble or slur their speech a lot
• You feel like you can hear but not understand
• Conversations are difficult to understand, especially when there is background noise
• Certain sounds seem overly loud or annoying
• You have difficulty hearing higher pitched sounds and voices, such as children speaking or birds chirping 
• You experience a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in one or both of your ears (tinnitus) 

How age-related hearing loss affects sound

One of the hallmark signs is difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds. This is known as high-frequency hearing loss, and it typically occurs in both ears at the same time.

Because many speech sounds—especially consonants—are high in pitch, this type of hearing loss can make it challenging to understand everyday conversation.

For example, the difference between words like "that" and "sat" may become difficult to distinguish, even if the person is speaking clearly. As a result, speech can start to sound muffled or unclear, especially in noisy environments.

Will I lose my hearing as I get older?

While the act of aging plays a large role in hearing loss, many other factors can increase your risk of developing problems as you get older, including:

• Noise exposure. Long-term exposure to loud noise at home or during leisure activities can damage your hearing and cause noise-induced hearing loss. Blast noise is especially harmful, such as gunfire. 
• Family history. If your parents have hearing loss, you may be more likely to develop it as well.
• Medical conditions. Certain illnesses that affect the blood supply to the middle ear, such as heart disease, and high blood pressure can harm your hearing. As well as some autoimmune disorders. Smoking raises your risk, too. 
• Medications. Older adults are more likely to take ototoxic drugs—like certain antibiotics or high doses of aspirin—that can harm hearing.

Get a hearing test if you have symptoms or are over 60

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms we mentioned above—or if you're age 60 or older and have never had a baseline hearing test—it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with a hearing care professional.

They’ll conduct a full hearing evaluation to determine if you have hearing loss, how severe it is, and what treatment options are best for you.

Does it matter if I'm losing my hearing?

Yes, hearing loss can strain relationships and lead to social isolation. There is some evidence that it is associated with cognitive decline, though this evidence is emerging. Older adults with untreated hearing loss tend to be more sedentary. 

Even mild hearing loss can affect your personal safety. For example, if you don't hear the oven beeping or water faucet dripping. It also diminishes your sensory experience of listening to music and other sounds.

Can hearing loss from aging be cured?

Like most types of sensorineural hearing loss, there is no cure for this kind of hearing loss. Fortunately, though, the vast majority of cases can be treated, usually with hearing aids.

• Hearing aids. Those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss may benefit from wearing hearing aids. After your evaluation, a hearing healthcare professional will recommend the type and style that works best for you according to the severity of your hearing loss, lifestyle preferences and budget.
• Cochlear implants. If you are diagnosed with severe or profound hearing loss, you may benefit from using a cochlear implant. These medical devices are surgically implanted behind your ear to help detect sound and understand speech. 
• Assistive listening devices (ALDs). Technology is available to amplify sound from your television, telephone and other personal electronic devices. ALDs can be used with or without hearing aids, depending on the type and severity of your hearing loss.

Tips for protecting your hearing as you age

While some hearing loss risk factors are out of your control, you can take steps to prevent hearing loss and/or to preserve your remaining hearing ability. These steps include:

• Avoid loud noise exposure. Sounds over 85 decibels—like motorcycles, sirens, concerts, or even listening to headphones too loudly—can cause permanent damage with repeated or prolonged exposure. Try to avoid or limit exposure when possible.
• Use hearing protection. If you can't avoid the noise, wear earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs when using loud equipment or enjoying noisy recreational activities.
• Manage any chronic health conditions. If you have diabetes, heart disease or other illnesses that can impact your hearing, follow your doctor's recommendations for managing your condition. This can include diet and exercise plans as well as taking any prescribed medications. 
• Review your medications. Ask your doctor if you are taking any medications that are known to be ototoxic. If you are, discuss possible alternatives or ways to reduce your risk. Make sure to reach out if you notice any hearing problems or a ringing in the ears after starting a new medication or supplement.

How to find help

Age-related hearing loss is common, but it doesn’t have to limit your quality of life. With the right care and treatment, you can regain the ability to enjoy many of the sounds you've missed. 

If you’re noticing changes in your hearing—or it’s simply been a while since your last checkup—now is a great time to act. Visit our clinic directory to find a trusted hearing care provider near you and take the first step toward better hearing health today.