Hearing impairment (synonyms: Disacusis; Dysacusis; Hypacusis; Hypoacusis; Surditas; Deafness; ICD-10-GM H91.9: Hearing loss, unspecified; ICD-10-GM H91.1: Presbycusis) are a common limitation in old age.
Four forms of hearing impairment are distinguished:
- Hypacusis – hearing loss (the spectrum ranges from barely perceived hearing impairment to deafness).
- Hyperacusis – increased hearing in the sense of pathological fine hearing.
- Altered hearing perception – e.g., diplacusis (double hearing), paracusis (false acoustic perception), e.g., disturbed directional hearing.
- Acoustic hallucinations – e.g. in delirium, psychosis or as an acoustic aura in epilepsy.
The typical deterioration of hearing in old age is also colloquially referred to as old-age hearing loss (presbycusis).
Primarily, the hearing loss in old age affects the high frequencies, already 30 years old show a statistically significant limitation in the high-frequency range. However, low and middle frequencies can also be affected, i.e. the range relevant for speech. This could be shown in a large evaluated study, in which several age groups were compared.
Frequency peak: Approximately 40% of people over 65 suffer from age-related hearing loss (ARHL).
The prevalence of hearing loss requiring treatment is 19%. From the age of 65, 50 % suffer from hearing disorders. The prevalence rises to 80% in people over 85 years of age.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) for congenital bilateral hearing loss is approximately 1.2 cases per 100,000 newborns per year (in Germany).
Course and prognosis: Affected individuals are more aware of their onset of hearing loss between the ages of 50 and 60 than those older than 60; it is possible that the latter have become accustomed to their hearing loss over time.Congenital bilateral hearing loss is progressive (progressing) in 30% of cases between the ages of 3 and 6, so that even mild hearing loss requires recurrent monitoring at intervals of three to six months!Treatment of hearing loss is cause-related. Depending on the degree of severity, hearing disorders can greatly reduce the quality of life of those affected.