Underlying factors to presbyacusis; a literature study focused on less known factors

Abstract

Background: More than half of the elderly (65-84 years) in Sweden have problems with hearing. In some studies it’s discussed if age related hearing loss or presbyacusis is a part of natural aging or if it depends on underlying factors. The purpose of this literature study was to analyse scientific papers which illustrate correlations between less known underlying factors and presbyacusis, defined from psychoacoustic and/or neurofysiological tests. Material and method; Literature study where scientific papers, relevant to the purpose of the study and the questions at issue were found in the database PubMed. The result shows that cardiovascular disease, hormones, diet and drugs have an influence on presbyacusis. The health condition of the individual and their lifestyle matters, likewise estrogen which according to the results of 2 studies has a protective effect on hearing. Conclusion; The studies show that heart attack and high systolic blood pressure in women have a correlation to presbyacusis, but not in men, - the hormone estrogen, - some vitamins, antioxidants and diet have a protective effect on hearing and studies show that smoking and alcohol have negative effects