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Over 1.2 billion people have some degree of hearing loss globally, with the majority being older adults aged 65+. Almost 1 in 3 older adults aged 65-74 suffer from hearing loss in America.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over half of adults aged 75 or older cannot hear clearly.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) considers –10 to 15 dB HL (decibels in hearing loss) a normal range for hearing loss. Thresholds above 15 dB HL indicate a higher degree of hearing impairment, and you may need to use hearing aids.
But, this range is subject to adjustment according to age factors, read further to know more.
Key Insights
The average hearing loss age ranges between 65 and 74 years in America but this can depend on factors like health conditions, loud noise exposure, etc.
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Chronic conditions: high blood pressure or diabetes and Medication are leading causes of hearing loss among older adults.
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The adjusted normal hearing for older adults by age can range between 25-50 dB for low and 40-75 dB for high frequencies.
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Experts recommend hearing tests for older adults every 5 years for ages 50-64 and 1-3 years for ages 65 and older.
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Hearing aids or cochlear implants can help prevent hearing difficulty among older adults.
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What Is the Average Hearing Loss by Age?
The average age of developing hearing loss ranges between 65 to 74 years but can vary depending on a person’s health condition and noise exposure. According to a 2023 study, more than sixty percent of older adults (representing 21.5 million Americans) in the U.S. aged 71+ are hard of hearing.
Average Hearing Loss Age Among Older Adults
The following graph shows declining rates of hearing loss extracted from a sample study of 2,083 older adults from 2021-2022.
For more information, see hearing loss statistics
What Causes Age-Related Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, occurs when a person slowly loses the ability to hear as they grow older. This usually happens due to some of the following factors:
- Long-term exposure to loud sounds
- Sensorineural (loss of sensory cells in the inner ear due to damage or abnormality)
- Otosclerosis (bone abnormality in the middle ear)
- Genetics
- Medication side effects
- Chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Smoking
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Ear infections
What is Normal Hearing for Older Adults?
Normal hearing for older adults can range from 25-50 dB for low-frequencies and 40-75 dB for high frequencies.
The International Standards Organization (ISO) adjusts the normal hearing range for older adults by age. This may reach 30-40 dB, especially at higher frequencies. Mild hearing loss thresholds are adjusted accordingly, often starting above 40 dB.
Older adults have better hearing at low frequencies (15–40 dB) compared to high frequencies (40–75 dB).
How to Prevent Hearing Loss By Age?
As you grow older, you will gradually lose hearing due to declining health and other factors. Although there are no fixed guidelines on how you can prevent hearing loss by age, the most common measure to take is using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones during loud noise exposure such as loud music, guns, fireworks, lawnmowers, etc.
The 60/60 Rule for Hearing Loss
The 60/60 rule, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and audiologists, suggests keeping headphone volume at 60% and limiting listening time to 60 minutes per day to prevent hearing loss over time.
How Often Should You Take Hearing Tests?
According to a study, hearing impairment remains unidentified and unaddressed among older adults due to a lack of screening. Experts recommend hearing tests for seniors aged 50-64 every 5 years and every 1 to 3 years for elderly aged 65+.
If you think you have trouble hearing, visit your nearest doctor for a hearing test.
How to Treat Hearing Loss Among Older Adults?
Adults with auditory issues either wear hearing aids or get cochlear implants to treat presbycusis. But, there’s a high prevalence among older adults of not treating their hearing impairment on time, which affects their daily lives.
According to a study, older adults who don’t or delay hearing assistance devices are due to expensive equipment, societal stigma, price of repairs, ear wax issues, poor sound quality, and lack of adjustments to ear size.
If left unaddressed, it can lead to serious problems such as difficulty hearing in conversations, cognitive decline, loneliness, and social isolation. At a national level, it affects the years lived with a disability (YDLs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among the older adult population.
Experts believe healthcare programs like Medicare.gov should focus on providing financial support for hearing assessments and treatments to help older adults afford necessary care.
FAQs
Presbycusis is a medical condition where people slowly lose hearing as they age. Older adults aged 65+ are likely to develop hearing impairment as they age.
The normal hearing threshold by age for older adults ranges between 10-25 dB or higher, adjusted according to age groups by ISO standards. For example, if a senior aged 65 can hear between 15–30 dB at low and 20–40 dB at high frequencies, that’s normal hearing for their age.
Studies show hearing problems can impact self-esteem and confidence when conversing with others. Fortunately, hearing aids can improve your hearing, enabling you to socialize confidently and connect with new people.
Bottom Line
Hearing loss affects almost half a million Americans. Among them, older adults aged 65+ are highly likely to develop moderate to severe hearing loss as they age. The average age for hearing loss can range between 65 – 74 years, which includes hard of hearing in one ear or both.
Age-related hearing loss can be due to loss of ear hair cells, chronic diseases, or long-term exposure to loud noise. ISO adjusts the normal hearing range among older adults between 10-25 dB or higher, according to age. Effective hearing loss interventions such as hearing aids are necessary to help improve the quality of life among older adults.
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