Hearing loss is a common issue — about half of people ages 75 and older experience hearing issues, and one-third of people ages 65 to 74 have trouble hearing. Hearing loss can happen as a result of injury, from working in loud environments or naturally as we age. Men are twice as likely as women to experience hearing loss, according to a 2017 study.
Hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells within the ear are damaged. Normally, healthy hair cells act as interpreters for the brain. When these hair cells pick up sound waves, they convert the sound waves to electrical signals the brain can process and understand. Aging, prolonged exposure to loud noises and certain medications can damage hair cells. Once a hair cell dies, it cannot be revived.
Sometimes, hearing loss is the result of earwax buildup, an infection, fluid buildup or a treatable malformation. A doctor can help with these cases. However, if the hearing loss is not correctable, it’s time to think about purchasing a hearing aid. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist to take a hearing test and determine the right solution for you based on your audiogram results.