What is presbycusis?

Do you notice a slight hearing loss in your grandfather or grandmother? They speak louder, ask for words or phrases to be repeated, no longer actively participate in group discussions and lack responsiveness when you address them? Your loved one may be suffering from presbycusis, an age-related hearing loss.

What is presbycusis? What are its causes and symptoms? What can be done about it? In this article, discover all the answers to these questions.

The main characteristics of presbycusis

It is a form of bilateral deafness that occurs mainly in people in their fifties or older. It is manifested by a progressive loss of hearing. It is considered a natural phenomenon, as it is related to age. The onset of presbycusis is simply due to the fact that as we age, our hearing faculty becomes tired and loses its performance.

In the majority of cases, there is an alteration of hearing on thehigh frequencies , which makes it difficult to understand. At first, people with presbycusis have difficulty hearing fricative and whistling consonants. Eventually, low-pitched sounds will also be affected and patients will eventually suffer from tinnitus.

How does presbycusis manifest itself?

It is possible to treat the symptoms as long as they are detected as early as possible. However, it should be noted that this pathology does not manifest itself in the same way in each individual. All the more reason to scrutinize every sign. Indeed, some clues are never wrong. Here are some of the things you can do to identify presbycusis.

For a better perception of sounds, people with presbycusis tend to increase the volume of the television, radio and telephone. This volume will increase as the hearing cells are affected.

• Increased volume in the voice

You will also notice that people with presbycusis often speak very loudly. The reason is that they have difficulty perceiving the projected sounds. Indeed, the sensory deprivation of low and high pitched sounds will develop a reflex in people with presbycusis, which leads them to speak louder than normal.

• Repetition of words and phrases

When talking to people with this condition, expect them to repeat your words and phrases often. The explanation is simple: presbycusis often causes people to hear, but not understand because of sensory deprivation.

• Decreased participation in group discussions

Group discussions are tiring for those affected, as they have to work hard to detect what others are saying. They will therefore tend to show no responsiveness to group discussions and will clearly prefer to stay away from all the hubbub.

• Tinnitus

People with sensorineural hearing loss often suffer from tinnitus. This condition results in a buzzing or tinkling sensation that is felt only on external sounds. This sensation is accentuated by the noises that animate a given environment.

How to communicate with a person with presbycusis?

Obviously, communicating with someone who has a hearing impairment is a little more complicated.
It must be recognized that this disorder is a burden not only for the individual, but also for those close to him or her.
In order not to isolate him, it is necessary to adopt adapted communication methods.

To avoid always repeating your sentences, have, for example, the reflex to speak loudly and distinctly. Attention! Speaking loudly does not mean shouting. This action may offend the person with presbycusis and cause an adverse effect on their ability to hear.

Also, try not to speak too fast and explain your ideas in simple, clear sentences so that the person can understand instantly. As much as possible, eliminate all noise pollution that can interfere with your communication (television, radio, children’s screams, etc.). Be kind, patient and a good listener.

How to avoid presbycusis?

Once the hearing cells deteriorate, there is no way to repair them. This phenomenon is irreversible.
However, various solutions are available depending on the condition of your hearing. You should also know that preventing hearing loss is entirely possible with good habits.

• Auditory training

Auditory training consists of learning to listen to and understand the sounds and noises that surround us. You can perform these exercises on your own or with the help of a mobile application.

Another exercise: participate in group discussions and try to be as responsive as possible.

• A healthy lifestyle

To maintain your hearing health, take up sports. In particular, focus on sports that are calming, promote blood circulation and improve cardiovascular health, such as yoga or meditation. Also avoid eating foods that are too fatty and raise the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. The same goes for alcohol, which increases the deterioration of hearing ability.

Certain foods containing vitamin B3 and B6 and antioxidants will be your best allies in maintaining good hearing health.

When to have a hearing test?

Before your hearing deteriorates, you need to take precautions as soon as possible. Although it is a disorder that increases with age, there is nothing to stop you from adopting reflexes to avoid wearing a hearing aid, in part or in whole.

Ideally, you should see an ENT specialist or a hearing care professional every year to perform audiogram tests. These tests allow us to measure the extent of the situation and to see if there is a hearing impairment. As soon as you notice a change in your hearing habits, consult a doctor. The same is true if you have taken ototoxic drugs, if you have relatives with hearing problems or if you are exposed to noise all day long.

Wearing a hearing aid

The hearing aid is the final solution to correct the hearing ability of people affected by presbycusis. This device will allow them to hear again and understand sounds. The earlier the device is worn, the more effective it will be. To find out which hearing aid is best for you, it is best to consult a specialist.

Speaking of ideal, Ideal Audition is the solution for you to find the best solution, because it is a brand offering to all people with hearing disorders to find the perfect device to find a “normal” life thanks to a wide range of adapted hearing aids.

Ideal Audition accompanies you during all the stages of the fitting, from the hearing test to the handling of the device. In addition, it is no secret that the price of a hearing aid can sometimes be frightening and dissuade many people. That’s why the brand is committed to offering the best prices for the best products.

Now you know more about presbycusis and hearing aids. It is important to keep in mind that hearing problems can affect anyone, at any age. So don’t hesitate to call in a specialist.