Guide
Hearing Loss and Aging: What Is Normal and What Is Worth a Test
Hearing loss and aging go together: about one in three people aged 65 to 74 has some hearing loss, and nearly half of those over 75 have trouble hearing (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss). It comes on slowly, usually in both ears. A hearing test, not a supplement, is the first step. No supplement has been shown to reverse it, and no trial of ZenCortex exists.
Written by the ZenCortex label deskUpdated
The basics01
What is age-related hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss is a slow, usually two-ears-at-once decline in hearing that builds over the years. It is the most common reason adults start to miss words.
The NIDCD says about 15% of US adults, or 37.5 million people, report some trouble hearing. The rate climbs with age: about one in three people from 65 to 74, and nearly half of those older than 75 (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss).
Because the change is gradual, many people do not notice it. Family and friends often spot it first. You hear that someone is talking, but the consonants blur, and you start guessing.
Sound travels through the outer and middle ear to the cochlea, where tiny hair cells turn vibration into nerve signals (NIDCD, How Do We Hear?). Wear in that inner machinery is one reason hearing fades.
Causes02
What causes hearing loss as you get older?
Age alone is rarely the only cause. The NIDCD lists inner-ear changes, years of noise, genes, high blood pressure, diabetes and some medicines among the contributors (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss).
That matters because some of these can be managed. Blocked earwax, for one, can muffle hearing and is a job for a provider, not a cotton swab (MedlinePlus, Ear Wax).
Noise over the years
Long or repeated exposure at or above 85 dBA can damage hearing (NIDCD, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss). Past loud jobs and hobbies add up.
Health conditions
People with diabetes have about twice the rate of hearing loss of people without it (CDC, Diabetes and Hearing Loss). High blood pressure is also on the NIDCD list.
Medicines
More than 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs can harm the ear, and ringing is often the first sign (ASHA, Ototoxic Medications). Ask before you stop any of them.
Our guide to how to protect your hearing covers the noise side in detail.
Signs03
What are the early signs of hearing loss?
The early signs are trouble following phone calls or group talk, asking people to repeat themselves, and turning the TV up. Hearing speech over background noise gets harder first (NIA, Hearing loss in older adults).
The NIDCD offers a 10-question self-check. Consider a hearing test if you answer yes to two or more questions, or sometimes to three or more (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss). It is a prompt to book a test, not a diagnosis.
Not every change is the same size. Tap each card below to see which side it falls on.
Tap each card to see where it falls. Then tap Sort them to group them.
An everyday checklist built from NIDCD, NIA and FDA pages on hearing loss, tinnitus and hearing aids (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss) (NIA, Hearing loss in older adults) (FDA, OTC Hearing Aids). One item alone is not a diagnosis. Sudden hearing loss in one ear is an emergency (NIDCD, Sudden Deafness): see a doctor the same day.
Getting tested04
Who tests your hearing, and what does each one do?
Start with your primary care provider, who can check for infection, injury or earwax. An audiologist then tests your hearing and an ENT doctor treats ear disease (NIDCD, Who Can I Turn to for Help with Hearing Loss).
A baseline test is worth having even if you feel fine. It gives later tests something to compare with. If you have diabetes, the CDC advises a test at diagnosis and then every year (CDC, Diabetes and Hearing Loss).
| Professional | What they do |
|---|---|
| Primary care provider | Looks for causes such as infection, injury or earwax and can refer you on |
| Audiologist | Tests hearing, finds the type and degree of loss, fits hearing aids |
| ENT (otolaryngologist) | A physician for medical and surgical care of the ear |
| Hearing instrument specialist | State-licensed to do basic hearing tests and fit hearing aids |
What helps05
What helps with age-related hearing loss?
Hearing aids are the main tool. A hearing aid makes some sounds louder, but it does not restore normal hearing (NIDCD, Hearing Aids).
Over-the-counter hearing aids went on sale on October 17, 2022. They are for adults who perceive mild to moderate loss (FDA, OTC Hearing Aids). Prescription aids are fitted by a professional. Prices run from hundreds to several thousand dollars, and Medicare does not cover them for adults (NIDCD, Hearing Aids).
The FDA lists red flags that call for a doctor first, preferably an ENT: ear pain, fluid or blood from the ear, heavy earwax, severe dizziness, a sudden change in hearing, or worse hearing or ringing in only one ear (FDA, OTC Hearing Aids).
ZenCortex: from $49 a bottle60 mL drops · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 and 6 · 60-day guarantee
See packsSupplements06
Can a supplement slow hearing loss as you age?
No supplement has been shown to slow or reverse age-related hearing loss. The NIDCD says prevention is not fully understood, but avoiding loud noise and using earplugs helps (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss).
ZenCortex is a liquid dietary supplement whose bottle says "Supports Healthy Hearing†". That is structure and function wording, and the dagger points to the FDA statement. No trial has tested the drops, and the 22-line blend prints no single amount. FDA does not approve supplements before sale (FDA, Dietary Supplements).
If you still want to try a supplement, tell your pharmacist and doctor first, and keep your hearing test on the calendar. See the ZenCortex supplement facts for the full list.
Never stop or change a prescribed dose because of anything you read here. Ask your prescriber first.
Daily life07
How can you live better with hearing loss?
Treating hearing loss early and keeping up conversation helps most. Untreated loss can make it hard to follow medical advice or hear alarms, and it can lead to isolation (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss).
- Face the speaker and ask for quieter rooms when you eat out.
- Get a hearing check at least once and again if things change.
- Protect what you still have: earplugs at loud events.
Hearing and memory are also connected in the research. Read how in hearing and memory.
Urgent signs08
When is hearing loss an emergency?
Hearing that drops suddenly in one ear is an emergency. Get same-day medical care and do not wait to see if it passes (NIDCD, Sudden Deafness).
The NIDCD says not to assume allergies, a sinus infection or earwax. Steroids work best when started soon, and waiting beyond two to four weeks makes recovery less likely (NIDCD, Sudden Deafness).
Also see a clinician for hearing loss with dizziness, ear pain or drainage, or ringing in only one ear. Ringing is covered in tinnitus basics.
FAQ09
ZenCortex questions people ask
How common is hearing loss after age 65?
It is very common. The NIDCD reports about one in three people aged 65 to 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss). It is gradual, so many people miss it.
Is age-related hearing loss reversible?
Not by any proven supplement. Hearing aids make sounds louder but do not restore normal hearing (NIDCD, Hearing Aids). Some causes, like earwax, can be cleared by a provider, so a checkup is worth it before assuming the loss is permanent.
Can I check my hearing at home before booking a test?
A 10-question self-check from the NIDCD can tell you whether to book one. Consider a test if you answer yes to two or more questions, or sometimes to three or more (NIDCD, Age-Related Hearing Loss). It is not a diagnosis.
Does diabetes make hearing loss more likely?
Yes. The CDC says people with diabetes have about twice the rate of hearing loss of same-age people without it, and people with prediabetes have a 30% higher rate (CDC, Diabetes and Hearing Loss). A yearly hearing test is advised.
Are over-the-counter hearing aids right for everyone?
No. They are for adults 18 and older who perceive mild to moderate loss. They are not for severe loss, and red flags such as ear pain or one-sided hearing change need a doctor first (FDA, OTC Hearing Aids).
Can earwax cause hearing loss that looks like aging?
Yes. A wax blockage can cause a full feeling, ringing and partial hearing loss. Do not push swabs into the ear, and see a provider if hearing stays low after the wax is cleared (MedlinePlus, Ear Wax).
Which medicines can affect hearing in older adults?
ASHA says more than 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be ototoxic, such as some chemotherapy drugs, aminoglycoside antibiotics and aspirin-type drugs (ASHA, Ototoxic Medications). Talk to your doctor before changing any of them.
Does ZenCortex help with age-related hearing loss?
There is no evidence it does. The bottle claims only "Supports Healthy Hearing†", and no trial has tested the drops. A hearing test and, if advised, hearing aids are the proven steps (NIA, Hearing loss in older adults).
Who wrote this10
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Thezencortex, a retailer of ZenCortex, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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