The brains of people with normal hearing constantly undergo changes that fine tune the ability to use sound. A brain that has been deprived of sound due to a hearing loss remaps nerve connections in a way that makes it less able to react to sounds when they are present. These changes slow and reduce the processing ability of the brain, forcing those with hearing loss to dig more deeply into their cognitive capacities to make sense of what they hear. Memory and mental resources are taxed and the brain must work harder to interpret the sounds it receives. When several sounds are present, the problem compounds, creating difficulties with language comprehension and information recall.

A person with untreated hearing loss experiences greater stress and anxiety as the cognitive effort required for communication increases. If the problem persists, it can lead to negative emotional consequences as shown in a 2003 clinical study. The researchers found that hearing loss contributed to a poorer quality of life due to isolation, depression and confusion.

Fortunately, these problems can be reversed. That process begins when the individual is fitted with hearing instruments. By enhancing audibility, the demands on memory, cognition and processing ability are reduced. In addition, nerves in the hearing centers of the brain begin to remap themselves in response to the increased auditory input. These changes are not immediate, but occur gradually over time.

With this in mind, it makes sense to keep your hearing functioning at its maximum capacity.

I encourage you to make an appointment for a personal demonstration of any of these remarkable new hearing instruments.