How Common is Hearing Loss in Your Fifties?

Hearing loss can significantly impact your quality of life, and age is one of the biggest contributors to this health concern. Unfortunately, hearing loss in your 50’s is very common. As you age, the hair cells inside your inner ear that make it possible to hear well can start to die. While this is the most common reason for hearing loss, there are other reasons that hearing might be impacted by the time that you are fifty.

Types of Hearing Loss and Symptoms

There are three leading causes of hearing loss, and they have their own unique symptoms:     sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This kind of hearing loss is the most common, and it is the kind of hearing loss due to damage to the inner nerves and hair cells inside the ear. This damage is often age-related, but it can be due to exposure to loud noise and chemicals like alcohol. This kind of hearing cannot be corrected and only be treated with hearing aids.

The symptoms of this kind of hearing loss are a gradual reduction in the ability to hear, and people might also experience ringing in the ears.

 Conductive Hearing Loss

This kind of hearing loss is usually related to obstructions in the outer or middle ear. This might be due to tumors, earwax, or ear shape. This kind of hearing loss can often be treated with surgery or medicine.

This hearing loss can be accompanied by pain in the ear, the feeling of fluid in the inner ear, and even itching in the ear.

Mixed Hearing Loss

This kind of hearing loss is caused by a mix of the previously discussed types of hearing loss. The conductive hearing loss can be treated, but sensorineural hearing loss cannot usually be helped. You might get some improvement in this kind of hearing loss due to the portions of the problem that can be treated through medication or surgery.

This kind of hearing loss might come on gradually, or it could come on quickly and be accompanied by itching, pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and even dizziness or weakness.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be caused by too much exposure to loud noise, infections of the inner or outer ear, injuries to the ear, or even the ear’s natural shape. Age is also a primary reason for your hearing loss. 

How Can You Prevent Hearing Loss in Your 50s?

The best way to prevent hearing loss is to ensure that you do not listen to loud music or expose your ears to loud machinery noises for long periods. This is one of the most common reasons for hearing loss as people age. Always use proper ear protection when exposed to loud noises. 

You will also want to be sure that you take care of any issues with your ears immediately. If you have an ear infection or are experiencing ear pain, you should visit the doctor.

Make sure you get your hearing frequently evaluated by a medical professional as you age. This is one of the best ways to be sure that your hearing is not being damaged by age or by more preventable issues with your health or environment.

What Can You Do if You Suspect Hearing Loss?

If you believe that you are experiencing hearing loss, you will want to head to your regular doctor first to be evaluated for things like an inner ear infection. Once this has been eliminated as the reason for your hearing loss, you will likely be sent to a specialist for a hearing test and other evaluations. You will want to be sure that you are taking your hearing loss seriously so that it does not progress too far for treatment.

Some studies also show that folate might help prevent and even improve hearing loss. Many people also see improvement if they lose weight and start exercising more. You might also be offered hearing aids to help with your hearing loss, and you should not allow pride to prevent you from enjoying the benefits of this solution for your hearing loss.

Hearing loss doesn’t have to ruin your favorite things!  Make sure you get medical attention for your hearing loss as soon as you notice it. The sooner that you get help with your hearing problem, the more likely you will be to preserve what is left of your hearing. Contact us today if you believe that you are losing your hearing, and we can help you with your hearing loss.