We Don’t Hear With Our Ears

We actually hear with our brains! Our ears work together to pick up sounds around us and then convert those sounds into nerve impulses that travel to our brains. Your brain needs as much sound detail as possible in order to turn those sounds into meaning.

If you have a hearing loss, it disrupts the normal relationship between your ears and your brain. Your brain receives less sound information which makes it harder for your brain to recognize and make sense of sounds..

Frank Lin, MD, PhD from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has published a number of epidemiological studies associating hearing loss with cognitive decline. Studies have shown adults with hearing loss can be up to 5x more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia compared to those with normal hearing. The theory is that the effort of constantly straining to understand and make sense of speech stresses the brain and increases cognitive load. This increased load takes away resources the brain uses for other functions. Basically, you are using up brain power.
Americans with a hearing loss wait an average of 7 years from the time they are diagnosed to seek treatment! Fortunately, the sooner the hearing loss is diagnosed and addressed, the greater the chance to stave off cognitive decline and dementia. Hearing aids not only improve hearing but may also help preserve the brain.

At Advanced Hearing Solutions of Greenville (AHS), our philosophy is, by educating our patients about hearing and hearing loss, we enable them to make better decisions and choices in regards to their personal hearing health. We partner with our patients to create a personalized plan based on their needs, preferences and lifestyles. We offer complimentary screenings, evening and weekend hours, special financing and no high pressure sales tactics.

[Visit our website www.ahsgreenville.com for more information and schedule your appointment with AHS of Greenville today!

Next week, look for our article on what other medical conditions are related to untreated hearing loss.]