Auditory Deprivation and Hearing Loss
Learn more about auditory deprivation, its effects, and what your treatment options are so you can hear and feel your very best.
Auditory Deprivation and Hearing Loss
Learn more about auditory deprivation, its effects, and what your treatment options are so you can hear and feel your very best.
What is Auditory Deprivation?
When a sound occurs, it first travels to the ears and then through a series of steps in the auditory chain and finally arrives in the auditory cortex, or hearing center of the brain. This is where the magic happens! Our brain is responsible for processing and understanding the sounds around us. The auditory centers of the brain need constant stimulation to stay healthy, but for individuals with hearing loss, the signal that is received in the brain is weakened. The result of this is Auditory Deprivation.
Since hearing loss is often gradual, its impacts are often undetectable and are therefore left untreated. This is why it is important to have your hearing tested annually, once hearing loss is measured, we have a chance of treating it and preventing further deterioration caused by Auditory Deprivation.
What causes auditory deprivation?
You see, there’s a risk you take when you choose to not have your hearing treated, and that risk includes potential brain atrophy. Certain parts of the brain are responsible for processing sounds, and when those parts of the brain go unused due to hearing loss, they can lose their ability to process sound altogether, could be used for other needs of the body, or shrink.
This is what is known as auditory deprivation. Your brain needs stimulation in order to maintain a high level of functioning. Fewer sounds can mean less function.
Primary contributors of auditory deprivation include avoiding hearing loss treatment, isolation from social situations, and taking half measures like only wearing a hearing aid in one ear when there is hearing loss present in both ears.
It’s vital that a person not only seeks out care for their hearing loss, but is able to find a provider who has a reputation for accurately and expertly diagnosing hearing loss, fitting hearing aids, and working with patients over the duration of their hearing loss so that they can continue to provide recommendations and treatment that are tailored to their unique hearing situation.
How can auditory deprivation be treated?
As we’ve already advised, the earlier we are able to detect, diagnose, and treat hearing loss, the sooner we can treat the effects of auditory deprivation.
It still is unclear whether or not auditory deprivation is permanent, but researchers point to positive signs.
Many believe that the more the brain can be appropriately stimulated and certain intervention methods are used — like appropriately fit hearing devices and auditory training — the greater the likelihood that the brain can form new connections to improve cognitive function.
This is not a cure for hearing loss, but it is a way to keep the brain stimulated and your mind sharp.
Your provider will urge you to wear your hearing aids regularly, and to also be aware that it will take a short period of time to adjust to wearing devices. Just as it took time for you to “lose” certain sounds, it will take your brain some time to adjust to the reintroduction of the sounds it has been missing.
How can auditory deprivation be treated?
As we’ve already advised, the earlier we are able to detect, diagnose, and treat hearing loss, the sooner we can treat the effects of auditory deprivation.
It still is unclear whether or not auditory deprivation is permanent, but researchers point to positive signs.
Many believe that the more the brain can be appropriately stimulated and certain intervention methods are used — like appropriately fit hearing devices and auditory training — the greater the likelihood that the brain can form new connections to improve cognitive function.
This is not a cure for hearing loss, but it is a way to keep the brain stimulated and your mind sharp.
Your provider will urge you to wear your hearing aids regularly, and to also be aware that it will take a short period of time to adjust to wearing devices. Just as it took time for you to “lose” certain sounds, it will take your brain some time to adjust to the reintroduction of the sounds it has been missing.
Talk to a Beltone Hearing Care Professional today.
Ready to learn more about how you can finally take control of your hearing health?
Don’t delay! The hearing care professionals at Beltone Tristate are here to help you hear and feel your very best. Contact us today for your comprehensive hearing assessment!
Ready to learn more about how you can finally take control of your hearing health?
Don’t delay! The hearing care professionals at Beltone Tristate are here to help you hear and feel your very best. Contact us today for your comprehensive hearing assessment!
Schedule your free hearing test, today.