Use it or lose it?

As we meet with people to develop treatment plans for hearing loss, we are frequently asked this: Does wearing hearing aids create a dependency and actually make the ears ‘lazy’, resulting in greater problems with hearing?

No, it doesn’t!

In fact, just the opposite is true with the hearing system. What we call the “USE IT OR LOSE IT” term applies to your hearing!

Early Detection and Treatment is Crucial

We recommend early treatment of hearing loss to avoid permanent loss of the ability of the brain to process speech. People who treat their hearing loss in the early stages tend to not only do better with hearing aids, but may also be preventing atrophy of the auditory cortex, while enjoying the daily benefits of better hearing.

(Related Article: Benefits of Better Hearing)

Your Hearing Loss Leads to Cognitive Decline

As reported in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, Frank Lin, JD, PhD and his colleagues found that persons with untreated hearing impairment had accelerated rate of brain atrophy with more shrinkage in the areas responsible for processing speech. Along with atrophy of the auditory cortex due to lack of stimulation, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease may occur.

In another study released in The Journal of Neuroscience, 2011 Aug 31:31 (35), lead author Jonathan Peele, PhD reported that people with untreated hearing loss had less gray matter in the areas of the brain responsible for auditory processing.

(Related Article: Cognitive Decline and Hearing Loss)

Treating hearing loss protects your ears and improves your quality of life! It also helps to keep your brain functioning at its best.

Do you or someone you love suffer from some degree of hearing loss? If so, contact us to schedule a free hearing screening at one of our 6 locations.