Age-related hearing loss

Alternative names:

hearing loss of aging; presbycusis

Definition:

A progressive high-frequency hearing loss that occurs with increasing age.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) involves a progressive loss of hearing, beginning with high-frequency sounds such as speech. It is unknown if there is a specific cause such as noise trauma, but there appears to be a genetic predisposition. Age-related hearing loss tends to occur in families. The disorder occurs in about 25% of people ages 65 to 75 years old and in 50% of those over age 75.