Presbycusis
摘要
Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss is a gradual, bilateral, and progressive type of sensorineural hearing loss associated with aging. The prevalence of presbycusis increases with age, affecting approximately 30–40% of individuals over 65 years old. The symptoms typically include difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds and difficulty understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments, and often tinnitus. The onset of symptoms may vary and can develop over many years or decades. Moreover, they tend to worsen over time, affecting communication abilities and significantly impacting quality of life. The exact pathophysiology of presbycusis is not fully understood but believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as noise exposure, ototoxic medications, and vascular changes. Presbycusis can be classified into three main categories: sensory, neural, and metabolic. The diagnosis is made through a comprehensive audiological evaluation including a detailed medical history, physical exam, pure-tone audiometry which is the most common diagnostic test used, speech audiometry, and measures of speech understanding in noise. The management of presbycusis includes hearing aids, cochlear implants, auditory training as well as addressing any underlying medical conditions.