Hearing loss can have a profound impact on the quality of relationships, work, and life in general by affecting the ability to communicate with others and sense what’s going on around us. Studies show that hearing loss can also have a negative impact on brain health and cognition. Preserving hearing can help protect the brain.
Hearing is a “team sport” between your ears and your brain. Ears may “collect” sound, but your brain interprets what the sound is, such as words or noise. If hearing declines, the brain may have to compensate and work overtime, and that added work can affect functions such as memory and attention.
Your brain is like a complex computer, and everyday functions like memory, focus, and listening all get their share of processing power. But with untreated hearing loss, your brain constantly runs “extra programs” to fill in missing words or interpret muffled sounds.
That’s known as an increased cognitive load. It’s like running too many programs on your computer at the same time, which can slow down optimal functioning.
Signs of Cognitive Load
Signs your brain may be working too hard due to hearing loss include:
- Feeling mentally drained after conversations
- Trouble following group discussions
- Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
- Missing key details in conversations, even in quiet environments
Complications of Untreated Hearing Loss
Research using brain imaging has shown that untreated hearing loss can lead to:
- Auditory processing strain — The brain reallocates resources to decode muffled speech.
- Brain shrinkage — Areas responsible for memory and hearing can shrink faster when hearing loss goes unaddressed.
- Weakened neural connections — Networks that normally work together for sound, memory, and attention weaken over time.
Not hearing as well as you once did can also affect socializing. If you feel embarrassed or inhibited participating in conversations because of hearing loss, you may end up withdrawing socially. That can leave you depressed or frustrated, which can affect mental health and have a negative impact on brain health.
Treating Hearing Loss
Though it’s not proven that hearing aids can promise to prevent cognitive loss, studies show that treating hearing loss, especially in older adults who may be at a higher risk for hearing loss, can help reduce strained listening, help maintain social engagement, and may slow cognitive decline.
It’s important to act sooner rather than later if you’re experiencing hearing loss. Don’t put off seeing a hearing specialist. Getting help is good not only for your hearing but for your brain.
At New Hampshire Hearing Institute, our team provides expert hearing aid services for the people of Manchester and Auburn.