Definition of Presbycusis
Presbycusis (also spelled presbyacusis, from Greek πρέσβυς presbys "old" + ἄκουσις akousis "hearing"), or age-related hearing loss, is the cumulative effect of aging on hearing. It is a progressive and irreversible bilateral symmetrical age-related sensorineural hearing loss resulting from degeneration of the cochlea or associated structures of the inner ear or auditory nerves. The hearing loss is most marked at higher frequencies. Hearing loss that accumulates with age but is caused by factors other than normal aging (nosocusis and sociocusis) is not presbycusis, although differentiating the individual effects of distinct causes of hearing loss can be difficult.
The cause of presbycusis is a combination of genetics, cumulative environmental exposures and pathophysiological changes related to aging. At present there are no preventive measures known; treatment is by hearing aid or surgical implant.
Presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing loss, affecting one out of three persons by age 65, and one out of two by age 75. Presbycusis is the second most common illness next to arthritis in aged people.
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition when a person hears a ringing sound or a different variety of…
Health effects from noise
Noise health effects are the physical and psychological health consequences of regular…
The Mosquito
The Mosquito or Mosquito alarm is a machine used to deter loitering by emitting sound at…
Spatial hearing loss
Spatial hearing loss refers to a form of deafness that is an inability to use spatial…
Audiology
Audiology (from Latin audīre 'to hear'; and from Greek branch of learning -λογία…
Ototoxic medication
Ototoxic medications are drugs or pharmaceutical agents which induce ototoxicity…
Auditory exclusion
Auditory exclusion is a form of temporary loss of hearing occurring under high stress…
Recruitment (medicine)
Recruitment, in medicine, is a physical condition of the inner ear that leads to…
Safe listening
Safe listening is a framework for health promotion actions to ensure that sound-related…
Frequently asked questions
What is Presbycusis?
Presbycusis (also spelled presbyacusis, from Greek πρέσβυς presbys "old" + ἄκουσις akousis "hearing"), or age-related hearing loss, is the cumulative effect of aging on hearing.
Sources & credits
- Wikipedia: Presbycusis – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by mitopencourseware – CC BY-SA 4.0