Are you a senior who struggles to understand speech? You may have neural presbycusis, a form of age-related hearing loss that occurs when nerve cells in the cochlea and/or the auditory pathways to the brain deteriorate over time.
Unlike other types of hearing loss that mainly affect how loud sounds seem, neural presbycusis affects how clearly the brain receives sound information.
Signs and Symptoms
People with neural presbycusis often say, “I can hear people talking, but I can’t understand them.” That’s because the deterioration of the nerves causes the brain to receive unclear sound signals, even if the inner ear itself is still picking up sound.
Common challenges they face include:
- Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
- Voices sounding muffled or unclear
- Trouble following conversations in groups
- Increased listening fatigue or frustration
What Causes It?
The primary cause of neural presbycusis is the normal aging process, which can lead to a gradual loss of auditory nerve cells. In addition, certain medical conditions and circulation issues may also affect nerve health, and genetic factors can influence how quickly these changes occur. Neural presbycusis usually develops slowly and typically affects both ears.
Management and Coping Strategies
While nerve damage cannot currently be reversed, many people benefit from:
- Hearing aids, which may improve clarity even if they don’t solve every problem
- Assistive listening devices for challenging environments
- Communication strategies, such as reducing background noise
- Visual cues, like watching a speaker’s face or gestures
If understanding speech has become harder for you over time (especially when background
noise is present), contact us today at (209) 946-7378 to schedule a hearing evaluation.