What Is the Average Age a Person Starts Experiencing Hearing Loss?

If you notice that you do not hear as well as you usually do, then it’s possible that you’re beginning to experience hearing loss. There can be many different causes of hearing loss. Perhaps the most common one is age-related matters. The older you are, the more likely it is that you’ll have some level of hearing loss. It’s important to remember, however, that youth isn’t necessarily a safeguard against hearing loss. It can happen to anyone at any point in their life. But if we’re talking just in terms of natural hearing loss, then yes, it is something that tends to affect people of older age more than youngsters. 

In this article, we’re going to run through some essential information about hearing loss, the causes and when it becomes a more likely probability for people. 

Common Ages

So, let’s dive right into the main question: at what age does a person begin to experience hearing loss, on average? While we must stress that this isn’t an easy question to answer, if you’re looking for a hard and fast number, we’ll say people that are aged 65 and older. It’s when people are in that stage of their life that people increasingly find it difficult to hear. Of course, while it’s more likely in people that age, it’s not as you’ll automatically experience hearing loss once you reach 65. There are much older that still have an extremely high standard of hearing. You may just wish to be more mindful of your hearing once you get a little older. Even if you only have mild hearing loss, it’s important to remember that there are always solutions. 

Other Causes

While we say that people over the age of 65 are more likely to experience hearing loss, it’s worth remembering that there are some other factors that’ll play a role. It’s not just a person’s age that counts. The lifestyle does, too. For example, people who smoke are more likely to have hearing issues than those that don’t smoke. Also, you’ll be more likely to experience hearing loss if you have been exposed to loud noises throughout your life. Some medications can influence your hearing, too, as can, of course, genetics. 

Even if you’re younger than 65, it’s still important to stay on top of your hearing. There’s been an increase in people with hearing difficulties because it’s more common to listen to music at loud volumes. Even if your hearing hasn’t gotten to the stage where it has been noticeably reduced, it’s sometimes important to speak to an expert if you’ve been exposed to loud noises. They’ll be able to offer guidance on how you can minimize the negative impacts of noise exposure. 

Working with an Audiologist

If you think that you might have some hearing loss, then there’s no reason to process it all on your own. If you work with an experienced audiologist, then you’ll be in safe hands. It could be that your hearing loss is caused by something that can be reversed. For example, if you have an ear infection. It’s best to take action as soon as possible. The earlier you seek professional help, the quicker it is that you’ll be able to improve your hearing.

Treatment Options

If the audiologist detects a problem, then they may recommend that you get a hearing aid. Whether you have mild or severe hearing loss, there’ll be a hearing aid that’s right for you. There are a number of different styles of hearing aid, all of which have their benefits. The most popular styles are in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC) and behind the ear (BTE). Your audiologist will work with you to determine which is the right option for you. You’ll find that when once your hearing aid is fitted, you’ll be able to hear much more effectively – and that your quality of life has been much improved, too. 

If you’re beginning to experience hearing loss, or have any doubts, then schedule an appointment with us here at Imagine Hearing Solutions. Our experienced and professional team will be able to perform a hearing test and recommend ways to improve your hearing, if required. You can get in touch with us by calling (530) 392-4533, or you can click the book appointment button at the top of the page. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how old you are; if you have hearing loss, then there’ll be something that can be done to help improve things for you.