What condition is characterized by high frequency hearing loss that gradually occurs in older individuals?

Presbycusis is a condition that refers to the age-related gradual loss of hearing, typically characterized by high-frequency hearing loss. As individuals age, they commonly experience changes in the auditory system, leading to reduced sensitivity to higher frequencies, which affects their ability to understand speech, particularly in noisy environments. This type of hearing loss is a natural part of aging and can vary in severity among individuals.

In contrast, otosclerosis is a condition involving abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that can cause conductive hearing loss, rather than being specifically characterized by high-frequency loss. Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears and is not itself a hearing loss condition but rather a symptom that can accompany various ear problems. Ménière's disease involves a combination of symptoms including hearing loss, tinnitus, and episodes of vertigo, but it typically presents with fluctuations in hearing and not solely the gradual high-frequency loss seen in presbycusis.