What is presbycusis (age-related hearing loss)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: April 23, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, should be screened for in all adults aged 50 years and older at the time of a healthcare encounter, with subsequent evaluation and treatment tailored to the individual's specific needs and preferences, as recommended by the most recent clinical practice guideline 1.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of presbycusis involves a combination of physical diagnostic tests, such as otoscopy, and audiometric evaluations, including pure-tone audiograms and speech recognition tests. Hearing aids are the primary treatment for presbycusis, and should be considered as soon as hearing loss begins to affect daily communication, with the goal of improving hearing-related quality of life (QOL) 1.

Screening and Evaluation

Screening for hearing loss in adults aged 50 years and older is crucial, as it can help identify individuals who may benefit from hearing aids or other interventions. The use of simple screening tools, such as the whispered voice test or a single-question screening, can help identify adults with objective hearing loss, while self-administered questionnaires, such as the HHIE-S, can identify adults with perceived hearing difficulty 1.

Management and Follow-up

The management of presbycusis involves a multidisciplinary approach, including education and counseling on communication strategies and assistive listening devices. Regular follow-up evaluations, at least every 3 years, are recommended to assess the effectiveness of treatment and to identify any changes in hearing status 1.

Key Considerations

  • Presbycusis is a progressive condition that can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, cognitive function, and social interactions.
  • Early screening and intervention can help to improve hearing-related QOL and reduce the risk of associated comorbidities, such as dementia and depression.
  • A comprehensive treatment plan should take into account the individual's specific needs and preferences, as well as their sociodemographic factors and access to healthcare services.

From the Research

Definition and Effects of Presbycusis

  • Presbycusis is the inevitable deterioration in hearing ability that occurs with age, affecting communication and potentially contributing to isolation, depression, and dementia if left untreated 2.
  • It is a multifactorial process that can vary in severity from mild to substantial, with approximately 70-80% of adults between 65 and 75 years of age suffering from presbycusis 3.

Treatment Options for Presbycusis

  • Comprehensive rehabilitation, including education about communication effectiveness, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and cochlear implants for severe hearing loss, is widely available but underused 2.
  • Hearing aids and cochlear implants are the most commonly used devices for treating mild-severe presbycusis, with reported outcomes indicating they are effective methods for treating mild-moderate hearing loss 3.
  • Electric-acoustic stimulation and active middle ear implants may also be appropriate solutions for treating presbycusis, depending on the type and severity of the hearing loss and the specific needs of the patient 3.

Impact of Presbycusis on Cognitive Functions

  • Recent literature has shown a growing interest in the relationship between presbycusis and cognitive decline, with significant evidence suggesting that hearing deprivation in aged patients represents a truly modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline 4.
  • Auditory rehabilitation with cochlear implants or hearing aids has been shown to improve cognitive functions, including memory and executive functions, in elderly patients with presbycusis 4, 5.

Comprehensive Management of Presbycusis

  • A comprehensive management strategy for age-related hearing loss should include diagnostic evaluation beyond standard audiometric testing, such as measures of central auditory function, including dichotic tasks and speech-in-noise testing 5.
  • Treatment should include not only appropriate means of peripheral compensation but also auditory rehabilitative training and counseling to facilitate optimal functional capacity in geriatric patients 5.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

2
Research

Presbycusis.

Lancet (London, England), 2005

5
Research

Comprehensive management of presbycusis: central and peripheral.

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2013

Related Questions

What is an example of sensorineural hearing loss?
What is the management plan for a 69-year-old male with presbycusis?
What are the best treatment options for a 19-year-old female with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), exhibiting decreased need for sleep, increased sociability and talkativeness, while still experiencing moderate depression, with minimal response to several months of Lexapro (escitalopram) 10mg daily, and a history of chronic insomnia non-responsive to gabapentin, trazodone, hydroxyzine, melatonin, or magnesium, but partially responsive to quetiapine (quetiapine) 50mg?
What are the best treatment options for a 19-year-old female with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), exhibiting decreased need for sleep, increased sociability and talkativeness, while still experiencing moderate depression, with minimal response to several months of Lexapro (escitalopram) 10mg daily, and a history of chronic insomnia non-responsive to gabapentin, trazodone, hydroxyzine, melatonin, or magnesium, but partially responsive to quetiapine (quetiapine) 50mg?
What are the best treatment options for a 19-year-old female with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), exhibiting decreased need for sleep, increased sociability and talkativeness, while still experiencing moderate depression, with minimal response to several months of Lexapro (escitalopram) 10mg daily, and a history of chronic insomnia non-responsive to gabapentin, trazodone, hydroxyzine, melatonin, or magnesium, but partially responsive to quetiapine (quetiapine) 50mg?
What are the Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis medications, their doses, and rationale for use?
What is the pathophysiology of Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss)?
What is the protocol for managing sepsis (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question