{"id":2418,"date":"2021-01-29T13:48:40","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T18:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/augustaent.com\/?p=2418"},"modified":"2021-01-29T14:03:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T19:03:05","slug":"does-hearing-loss-make-your-brain-work-harder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/augustaent.com\/does-hearing-loss-make-your-brain-work-harder\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Hearing Loss Make Your Brain Work Harder?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most of us know the feeling of relief after getting dismissed from a meeting, leaving a party or exiting a Zoom call. That\u2019s because straining to listen over background noise, understand what\u2019s being said, remember the information and formulate a response is mentally exhausting. For people with hearing loss,<\/a> the level of exhaustion is exponential.<\/p>\n\n\n

Why Hearing Loss Causes Fatigue<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The ears and the brain work together to help us hear and understand the sounds around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the ears are tiny sensory hair cells called stereocilia. These cells convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. Each cell is responsible for a specific frequency, so when they become damaged or destroyed, the auditory system can\u2019t detect that particular frequency anymore. The brain has to work harder to fill in the gaps, leading to fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research by Johns Hopkins<\/a> and other shows that lack of stimulation in the parts of the brain that help us hear caused by hearing loss can actually lead to atrophy and shrinkage, and cognitive resources will be allocated to other senses instead. This phenomenon is called auditory deprivation, and early intervention is key to preventing these neuroplastic changes.<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Cope with Listening Fatigue<\/h2>\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the effects of listening fatigue. Next time you start to feel worn out by social interactions, we recommend\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n