What condition involves loss of hearing due to aging processes?

Presbycusis is the term that specifically refers to the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people age. It primarily affects the ability to hear high-frequency sounds, making it more challenging to understand speech, especially in noisy environments. This condition is typically bilateral and progresses slowly over time due to changes in both the inner ear and the auditory nerve as a person ages.

The age-related changes can include degeneration of the sensory cells in the cochlea, along with changes in the structures of the ear that affect how sound vibrations are transmitted. As a result, presbycusis is a common issue among older adults, distinguishing it from other types of hearing loss that may occur from different causes or at different life stages.