Issue 27.14
Last year, we released an article that asked the question, “Can your brain rust?” The answer was that it may not literally rust, but the auditory centers of the brain my get “rusty” if an individual with hearing impairment does not wear hearing aids. New research in this area is now showing that the effects of hearing loss on the brain can be quite dramatic: the centers of the brain associated with processing sound and speech literally shrink in people with hearing loss. This brain shrinkage can occur very quickly – a cubic centimeter of brain tissue is lost every year in hearing impaired individuals!
What are the effects of brain shrinkage? As you might suspect, when the auditory centers of the brain shrink, it becomes difficult to process sounds correctly. It can become very hard to understand speech. If the brain atrophy is severe enough, speech becomes distorted to the point where hearing aids provide limited benefit (and assistive devices are often necessary in addition to hearing aids). But the effects of brain shrinkage go even further. No part of the brain operates in isolation. When the auditory centers of the brain shrink, the parts of the brain responsible for cognitive function and memory are negatively impacted. In other words, hearing loss leads to brain shrinkage which can lead directly to memory loss and dementia. And the effects don’t end there! Brain shrinkage associated with hearing loss is also being linked to an increased risk in falls, increased stress, increased chance of hospitalization and poor mental health.
What can we do to prevent, or at least slow down, this brain shrinkage? To put it simply, if you have hearing loss, you should treat it. 90% of hearing loss is best treated by hearing aids. The earlier a hearing loss is treated with hearing aids, the better the chance that brain atrophy can be prevented. Wearing hearing aids when hearing loss is first diagnosed (and not waiting 7-10 years as many people do) is critical. But just as critical is consistent usage. If you have hearing aids, wear them regularly. Wear them all day. Your brain will thank you for it.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Hearing & Balance Doctors of Utah today by calling (435) 688-8991 or visiting us at 1054 E. Riverside Dr. Ste. 201 in St. George.
This article is based on the ongoing research of Dr. Frank Lin M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Lin works at Johns Hopkins University and published his most recent research earlier this year in ”Neuroimage.” His research can be further studies on his website “linresearch.org” and at “hopkinsmedicine.org”