presbycusis
Pronunciation: prez-bee-CUE-sis
Age-related hearing loss typically affecting high frequencies first due to degenerative changes in the inner ear.
Full Definition
Presbycusis, also spelled presbyacusis, is the gradual, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that occurs with advancing age. It typically begins with high-frequency hearing loss and progresses to affect speech understanding, particularly in noisy environments. This condition results from cumulative damage to hair cells, supporting structures, and neural pathways over time. Presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing loss in adults over 65 and often requires hearing aid intervention when it significantly impacts communication.
Usage
Usage note: Both 'presbycusis' and 'presbyacusis' are acceptable spellings, but be consistent within documents.
In Context
- "The audiogram pattern was consistent with presbycusis, showing sloping high-frequency loss." — Diagnostic assessment
- "Presbycusis often coexists with tinnitus in older adults." — Geriatric audiology