This reference page provides technical definitions and statistical data regarding auditory health, diagnostic terminology, and assistive technologies relevant to adults over age 50. It serves as a neutral glossary for understanding the physiological and regulatory aspects of hearing health.
Core Auditory Terminology
| Term | Definition and Technical Data |
|---|---|
| Audiogram | A graph displaying the results of a pure-tone hearing test. It plots the softest sounds an individual can hear at various frequencies (pitches) in each ear. Thresholds are measured in decibels (dB) relative to a standard "normal" hearing level (NIDCD). |
| Cochlear Implant | A complex electronic medical device that bypasses damaged portions of the ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, implants provide a sense of sound by processing acoustic signals into electrical impulses (WHO). |
| Conductive Hearing Loss | Hearing impairment caused by an obstruction or damage in the outer or middle ear (e.g., fluid, earwax, or bone abnormalities) that prevents sound from reaching the inner ear. It is often distinguished from sensorineural loss during diagnostic testing. |
| Disabling Hearing Loss | A clinical threshold defined by the World Health Organization as hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better-hearing ear. Approximately 25% of adults over age 60 are affected by this level of impairment (WHO). |
| Ototoxicity | The property of being toxic to the ear, specifically the cochlea or auditory nerve. Common ototoxic agents include certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, specific antibiotics (aminoglycosides), loop diuretics, and chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin (PMC/NIH). |
| Presbycusis | Age-related hearing loss characterized by a progressive, symmetrical loss of hearing sensitivity. It affects approximately 1 in 3 adults aged 65–74 and roughly 50% to 55% of those aged 75 and older (NIDCD), (PMC/NIH). |
| Sensorineural Hearing Loss | Hearing loss resulting from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss and is typically the primary component of presbycusis. |
Technical and Regulatory Specifications
| Parameter | Standard Values and Regulatory Data |
|---|---|
| Decibel (dB) | A logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity. The CDC and NIOSH identify 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) as the threshold for hazardous noise exposure over an 8-hour period. For every 3 dB increase above 85 dB, the safe exposure time is reduced by half (CDC). |
| Frequency (Hertz/Hz) | The measurement of sound pitch. The standard human hearing range is typically cited as 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Sensitivity to higher frequencies (above 8–10 kHz) generally declines with age (NIH). |
| OTC Hearing Aid Regulation | A regulatory category established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults aged 18 and older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The final rule became effective on October 17, 2022, allowing these devices to be sold without a medical exam or prescription (FDA). |
Last verified: 2026-07-01
Sources
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): Quick Statistics About Hearing
- World Health Organization (WHO): Deafness and Hearing Loss Fact Sheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): OTC Hearing Aids: What to Know
- PubMed Central (PMC): The global burden of age-related hearing loss among individuals aged 60 years and older
- PubMed Central (PMC): Ototoxicity: The Hidden Menace
- NIH Bookshelf: The Audible Spectrum (Neuroscience)