By Dr. Becca Rancourt, Audiologist
Did you know you don’t hear with your ears, but rather you hear with you brain? Your ears are the receiver of sound, sending the auditory signal to the brain, which processes the sound and makes sense of it. The ears deliver sound to the brain by sending electrical impulses through the auditory nerve.
Your brain receives these electrical impulses and translate them into what we recognize as sound. The auditory part of your brain needs to be stimulated by sound to remain sharp. Even a mild hearing loss can be enough to under stimulate the brain. In individuals with hearing loss, the auditory pathways are not being stimulated as frequently, and can weaken. “Use it or lose it” is a saying that relates to this ideation. If hearing loss is not treated, it can lead to auditory deprivation, resulting in a sense of increased hearing loss.
The average individual with diagnosed hearing loss waits an average of seven years to seek treatment. If hearing loss is left untreated for too long, the auditory connections from your brain can be reassigned to other brain functions. As hearing loss is left untreated, even though we may be still able to hear sound, it’s harder for the brain to interpret the sound. How can you prevent auditory deprivation? Get your hearing tested and seek treatment if recommended. Even if you don’t appear to have hearing difficulty, it’s a good idea to establish a baseline hearing test.
At Waterville Audiology, we will help you research your hearing aid coverage. We also offer affordable options, and payment plans. Call us today to schedule your hearing evaluation at 207-872-0320.
