Presbycusis

Presbycusis is the gradual, age-related hearing loss that occurs as the cochlea's sensory hair cells and neural structures deteriorate over time. It is the most common cause of hearing loss in older adults and typically affects both ears equally. Hearing loss from presbycusis usually begins at high frequencies and progresses to affect mid-range frequencies over years or decades.

Early signs include difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, and finding certain voices harder to understand than others (particularly higher-pitched voices and consonant-heavy speech). Presbycusis is a sensorineural condition, meaning the damage is in the cochlea or auditory nerve rather than the outer or middle ear. It is permanent, as cochlear hair cells do not regenerate.

Hearing aids are the primary management approach. In Canada, age-related hearing loss is expected to become increasingly prevalent as the population ages. Regular hearing assessments for adults over 50 allow for earlier identification and timely intervention.