Hearing loss that is related to a person's age is called presbycusis. The word "presby" means elder and "cusis" means hearing.

If you live long enough, sooner or later you will develop some level of age related, hearing impairment. People who are exposed to noisy environments usually suffer hearing loss before people who live in quiet environments.

Presbycusis is one of the most common types of hearing loss and it is believed to be caused by the combined effects of intrinsic aging of the peripheral or central auditory systems along with the accumulated effects of normal bodily wear and tear. The condition can also be triggered by age-related diseases, possible toxic effects of drugs, chemicals, heredity and diet.

Hearing aids are electronic devices that pick up and amplify sound. By amplifying sound, sounds that the wearer normally would not hear are increased in volume and therefore better communicated.

There are many different degrees of hearing loss and technology has paved the way for many innovative products designed to improve a broad range of hearing. With the advent of the latest nanoscience hearing aids, a senior with hearing loss has a broad range of devices to choose from. There are hearing aids that fit around the ear, the more traditional type that fit within the bowl of the ear, and units that are so small and fit so deep within the ear canal that they are barely perceptible.

The latest equipment incorporates more advanced technologies that have features such as touch control, where difficult to adjust buttons and dials are replaced with an innovative touch surface, so that volume and memory adjustments can be made easily and discreetly with a simple sweep or touch of your finger.   

Last but not least is the new breakthrough technology that allows you to use your cell/mobile or touch tone phone to conveniently switch modes or adjust volume on your hearing aid without using additional hardware.