Why Does Hearing Loss Often Come with Age?

Hearing loss becomes more common as we age. In the United States, nearly 25% of adults between the ages of 65 to 74 and 50% of those aged 75 or older have disabling hearing loss.

Causes of Age-Related Hearing Loss

As we get older, we become more likely to experience changes to both the inner ear, as well as the auditory nerve. In most cases of age-related hearing loss, the hair cells of the inner ear become damaged due to the natural aging process or other factors. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot be repaired. Once enough hair cells are damaged, hearing loss can occur.

Factors That Contribute to Hearing Loss in Older Adults

In addition to the aging process, there are other factors that make hearing loss more likely. They include:

Repeated exposure to loud noise, such as working construction
Taking certain medications that cause hearing loss as a side effect
Head and neck trauma
Conditions like heart disease and diabetes that can affect blood vessels
A family history of hearing loss

Common Early Signs of Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss almost always occurs gradually. This can make the early signs hard to spot. If you experience any of the following, make an appointment for a hearing test and to be evaluated by an audiologist:

Other people often seem like they are mumbling
Conversations are hard to understand. Especially in places with background noise, like Sails Restaurant.
Trouble hearing higher-pitched sounds like birds chirping or children’s voices
You have a ringing or buzzing in your ears (known as tinnitus)
Family and friends have commented on your hearing

Treat Your Hearing Loss at Any Age

Whether you experience hearing loss later or earlier in life, the most important thing you can do is seek treatment right away. If left untreated, it can lead to worsening hearing loss and problems such as:

Increased anxiety and depression
Strain on relationships
Social isolation
Higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia

Your audiologist will likely recommend hearing aids to treat your hearing loss. However, in severe or profound cases, cochlear implants may be more beneficial. Either treatment will help improve your listening experience and provide a higher quality of life.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, contact Center For Hearing today.

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The Future of Hearing Devices: Deep Neural Networks & Artificial Intelligence

February 14, 2025

Hearing technology has come a long way over the years; however, one aspect of hearing loss that many hearing aids have difficulty addressing is trouble understanding speech in noise. Fortunately, some of today’s state-of-the-art devices can solve this problem utilizing deep neural networks (DNN) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensorineural hearing loss causes difficulty understanding speech in background noise. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy, which are then interpreted by the brain. This causes the quality and quantity of the signal sent from the ears to the brain to diminish over time, resulting in the brain expending more energy and effort to make sense of it. DNNs may help improve the transmission of the neural code, making hearing easier on the brain. [1] It’s important to know what DNNs are to understand how they can help. DNNs are a subset of AI. They rapidly analyze large data sets so that they can teach hearing aids and other technological devices how to respond to data like a human would, all while verifying accuracy and making corrections. DNNs are beneficial in hearing technology because they can help with speech enhancement. DNNs can be applied as “time-frequency masks,” meaning select sounds—like speech—are allowed while other sounds are suppressed. DNNs can also identify and separate multiple voices, selecting a primary voice to emphasize and secondary voices to suppress. This feature can help hearing device wearers in a variety of settings. For example, at a restaurant or party, the hearing device can emphasize a conversation partner, allow other nearby voices at a reduced volume and suppress background noises such as dishes clinking. Schedule an appointment to talk to Center for Hearing about our vast state-of-the-art hearing solutions today— (239) 434-0086. [1] Published by Douglas L. Beck. (2021, January 15). Deep neural networks in hearing devices. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/deep-neural-networks

Startup Aims to Develop the First Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

February 14, 2025

A Boston biotech startup is attempting to develop the first gene therapy treatment for hearing loss. If successful, it promises to offer new hope to the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer from gene-based hearing loss—a number that includes more than 4,000 newborns. The timing may not be ideal, but biotech companies have been largely immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession. Developing new drugs takes years, so these companies are better able to weather storms. And the efforts of biotechnology companies that are focusing on tools to prevent and treat potentially fatal health threats has resulted in soaring stock values for many of these companies, even in the face of the current crisis. Akouos, the Boston startup, was founded in 2016. Its goal is to develop the first gene therapy to treat hearing loss and is targeting a specific form of deafness that results from mutations in a single gene. They are experimenting with adeno-associated viruses, using them as vectors to deliver DNA that encodes a functioning gene in certain target cells. Around 7,000 people are afflicted with this type of genetic hearing loss. Adeno-associated viruses are considered viable candidates because they don’t usually cause disease and can be customized to treat a variety of genetic conditions. The company has partnered with two influential organizations: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, a Swiss manufacturing company that holds contracts with various pharmaceutical makers. Manny Simons, Akouos’ co-founder and chief executive, holds a degree in neuroscience from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His desire to help those with hearing loss stems from his passion for playing the piano. “It’s easy to take hearing for granted,” said in a Boston Globe interview. “Maybe because music has been important to me, it’s something that I take a little less for granted.” [1] [1] Saltzman, J. (2020, June 22). Akouos, a startup developing a gene therapy for hearing loss, raises IPO value to $125 million - The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/22/business/ipo-upped-akouos-boston-startup-working-gene-therapy-hearing-loss/