Hearing in aging: issues old and young

Abstract

Impaired audition in aging (IAIA), based both peripherally and centrally, has been an important topic of hearing research for several decades. In this review, recent investigations are classified into five problem areas: the prevalence and temporal progression of IAIA and their relation to presbyacusic sensorineural hearing loss; the deficit of speech understanding in aging; other auditory abilities affected by age; the etiology of IAIA; and the rehabilitation of auditory functions in the elderly. The work reviewed bears witness to a vigorous current worldwide interest in these questions by researchers in various disciplines. The intense research effort, however, is in contrast with the low prevalence of hearing aid use by the elderly with auditory handicap.