How Hearing Loss Impacts Your Brain

How Hearing Loss Impacts Your Brain

Have you ever heard someone with hearing loss say something like “I don’t need to hear, my other senses will pick up the slack!”

Well, that is actually quite true, but not ideal.

American researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder in the US have found that your brain changes if you have any form of hearing loss, caused by any condition or circumstances.

Studies on how the impact of hearing loss impact the brain showed a reorganization within the brain of someone with a mild hearing loss only 3 months after the loss. Even after a short period, the senses of sight and tough begin to take over to make up for the lack of information processing typically given through hearing.

Professor Anu Sharma, the lead on the study, has found that as language comprehension gets worse, the more the other senses take over. With the average person showing signs of hearing loss around the age of 40, Professor Sharma suggests as people approach 40, they should start to consider their hearing and how it affects their brain and the prevention of a hearing loss.

The studies showed a significant increase in brain activity in the frontal lobe, where working memory lies. Someone with a mild hearing loss must work extra hard to understand and comprehend speech. This usually causes them to be extremely focused all of the time and tired by the end of the day.

How Can Hearing Aids Help?

Professor Sharma and her team’s research has shown that even 30 days using hearing aids can change the brain to that of someone with normal hearing. More importantly, fit and daily use of the hearing aids play a major role as well.

Read the entire story HERE

Source: Bladet Hørelsen, Nr. 3, 2017