What type of hearing loss is presbycusis classified as?

Presbycusis is classified as a sensorineural hearing loss that occurs with age. This condition results from the gradual degeneration of the sensory cells in the inner ear, particularly the hair cells in the cochlea, as well as changes in the auditory nerve pathways. It is a common form of hearing loss in older adults, often characterized by difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds and understanding speech, especially in noisy environments. The sensorineural nature of presbycusis distinguishes it from conductive hearing loss, which typically involves problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from being conducted to the inner ear. Understanding presbycusis is essential for recognizing the unique challenges that aging individuals may face regarding their auditory health and for providing appropriate interventions or referrals to audiology specialists.