What is presbycusis?

Presbycusis refers specifically to age-related hearing loss, which is a natural part of the aging process. As individuals age, they may experience a gradual decline in their ability to hear, particularly high-frequency sounds. This condition is often due to changes in the inner ear structures, as well as alterations in how the auditory nerve processes sound. It typically affects both ears equally and can be exacerbated by factors such as noise exposure, genetics, and general health issues.

Understanding presbycusis is important, as it highlights the significance of regular hearing assessments for older adults and may prompt individuals to seek measures to manage or mitigate the impact of hearing loss, such as hearing aids or assistive listening devices. While other options describe different forms of hearing loss or impairments, they do not specifically define the gradual hearing loss associated with aging, which makes age-related hearing loss the correct choice for this question.