Presbycusis
Pronunciation: prez-bee-KYOO-sis
Age-related sensorineural hearing loss resulting from progressive degeneration of cochlear structures over time, characteristically producing a bilateral, symmetrical, high-frequency hearing loss.
Full Definition
Presbycusis (also spelled presbyacusis) is the most prevalent cause of hearing loss in older adults and reflects cumulative deterioration of cochlear hair cells, stria vascularis, and/or the auditory nerve due to aging. Audiometrically, it typically presents as a gradually sloping bilateral high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Schuknecht's classification identifies four histopathological subtypes: sensory, neural, metabolic (strial), and cochlear conductive. Editors should note the accepted variant spellings and ensure consistency throughout a document; 'presbycusis' is the dominant spelling in American English, while 'presbyacusis' is more common in British contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Both 'presbycusis' and 'presbyacusis' are clinically accepted. Editors should standardize to one spelling per document; 'presbycusis' is preferred in most contemporary North American and international publications.
In Context
- "The 72-year-old patient's audiogram was consistent with presbycusis, showing a bilateral symmetrical high-frequency notch." — Geriatric audiology report
- "The author alternated between 'presbycusis' and 'presbyacusis'; the editor standardized to 'presbycusis' per house style." — Copy-editing note