According to the National Academy on an Aging Society, hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions experienced by males 75 and older. Hearing, like all our senses, declines as we age, and can often be exacerbated by exposure to loud noises, other health issues, medications and more. It can quickly impact our ability to understand speech, respond to warnings and emergency situations, hear phone calls and enjoy time with family or friends.
Age-related hearing loss often impacts both ears, typically arising due to the changes the inner ear undergoes as we age. Hearing loss in older adults may also be caused by changes to the middle ear or along the nerve pathways stemming from the ear to the brain.
Hearing loss happens as we age, but we can help prevent it from negatively impacting our lives by getting annual hearing tests and being proactive about hearing health treatments.