If you don’t exercise your muscles, they will weaken over time. The same applies to the parts of your brain responsible for hearing. When you experience hearing loss, your ears don’t receive the necessary stimulation. This can lead to a condition known as auditory deprivation.
What Are the Risks of Untreated Hearing Loss?
Untreated hearing loss is associated with a range of emotional and medical challenges, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other psychosocial disorders. It also raises the risk of falls, leading to injuries or hospitalizations, and may heighten the chances of developing dementia.
Another significant consequence of not addressing hearing loss is auditory deprivation, which occurs when the brain’s regions responsible for sound processing shrink and weaken due to insufficient stimulation.
Hearing is fundamentally a brain process, often called “brain hearing.” When we hear, our ears capture and send these signals to the brain, analyzing them as recognizable sounds, such as music or conversations.
If the brain’s input is limited, it adapts accordingly. Even minor hearing loss can shift the focus of the brain’s auditory regions toward visual information instead. A 2014 study emphasized how hearing loss alters brain function.
Unfortunately, this adjustment can lead to difficulties, making it harder for individuals to comprehend sounds—even when using hearing aids. In rare instances, some may experience “musical ear syndrome,” in which they hear music or sounds that aren’t present.
What is Auditory Deprivation?
Sound signals are encoded and processed by numerous neural networks throughout the brain. As a result, hearing aids do more than just amplify sounds; they also adjust the timing and balance of these signals, enabling the brain to receive them meaningfully.
When hearing loss goes untreated, these sound signals can become out of sync, leading to a decline in the neural networks. This initiates a harmful cycle.
Is auditory deprivation permanent?
It is uncertain whether cerebral atrophy is permanent, which likely varies from person to person. However, the brain is highly adaptable. When stimulated, it can form new connections, allowing it to process more information.
A small study on neurocognitive benefits suggested that wearing hearing aids may help reverse negative changes in how the brain allocates its resources. With consistent use of hearing aids, brain shrinkage may slow or stop, and your brain may begin to recognize sound signals better again.
Why two hearing aids are important
People may opt for a single hearing aid because it’s less conspicuous or more comfortable. But often, Pulido says, it’s due to the price of hearing aids. Regardless, using one hearing aid—when both ears have hearing loss—will have a negative impact.
Remember that hearing aids are customized to your unique hearing loss and are far more complex than eyeglasses. You may need more than one office visit to figure out how to use them correctly. Also, your hearing will change over time, so keep up with your hearing care appointments.
Hearing aid adjustment may take a while
Adjusting to hearing aids requires some patience. Unlike glasses, which you can put on and use right away, getting accustomed to the restoration of sound is often a gradual journey. Everyone’s experience differs—while some people may adapt in just a few days or weeks, others might need more time.
If it’s been a while since you enjoyed full hearing, putting on hearing aids can take some time. Yet, it’s essential to remember that persistence pays off. Once you’ve begun to adjust, try to avoid taking breaks from your hearing aids. Wear them throughout the day, even when you’re home alone, as this helps keep your hearing sharp and your brain engaged.
Another beneficial approach is auditory rehabilitation.
Much like physical therapy, this type of therapy aids your brain in relearning essential communication skills that might have faded over time. Nowadays, various at-home auditory training games make practicing easy, and even listening to audiobooks can serve as effective aural therapy. These programs can be beneficial if you’re looking to combat listening fatigue. Preventing the Effects of Auditory Deprivation.
Fortunately, there is a way to prevent the effects of auditory deprivation: amplification. Treating hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants can keep the parts of your brain responsible for processing sound active.
Preventing the Effects of Auditory Deprivation
Of course, the best way to avoid auditory deprivation is to be proactive about your hearing.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends that adults get a hearing screening every 10 years until age 50 and once every three years after that.
Even mild hearing loss has been shown to affect understanding and processing and is linked to a decline in cognition. Moderate to severe hearing loss is related to dementia.
In addition to preventing auditory deprivation, hearing aids have been shown to:
- Prevent Falls: Research from Johns Hopkins indicates that mild, untreated hearing loss can triple your risk of falling.
- Improve Your Mood: Untreated hearing loss is strongly linked to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
- Prevent Dementia: Studies conducted by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging have found that hearing aids can prevent or delay the onset of dementia.
- Strengthen Relationships: Relationship counselors often emphasize the importance of effective communication, which hearing aids can facilitate. Communication is key, and hearing aids improve communication with loved ones.
Keeping your hearing system actively engaged is essential to protect your hearing health and prevent issues like auditory deprivation. Don’t hesitate to schedule a hearing evaluation immediately if you notice any signs of hearing loss. Early detection and treatment of hearing loss are vital. Research shows that those who address their hearing challenges promptly adapt more readily to amplification devices, resulting in a significantly higher chance of success. Take action now for a better hearing future!