When you consider the consequences of untreated hearing loss, what do you think of? Many would mention difficulty having conversations in background noise, trouble hearing TV shows, straining to talk on the phone and problems hearing the high-pitch voices of women and children. Research shows that hearing loss can affect more than just your communication abilities; it can actually impair your memory.
Understanding the Link Between Hearing Loss & Memory Problems
There are numerous ways hearing loss affects memory function. In order to understand this, we must examine the effect hearing loss has on your overall wellbeing.
Concentration
If you have hearing loss, you’ve probably noticed that it takes a great deal of concentration to recognize sounds, and even more so to make meaning of them. This is especially true if you’re trying to have a conversation with someone in an environment where background noise is present. Because your brain is so preoccupied trying to focus on what is being said, it is not using its resources to retain the information.
This phenomenon is known as cognitive overload. If you have trouble recalling what you talked about with someone after the conversation is over, it’s because the information is simply not there. Note that this does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your memory, just that your brain is overwhelmed.
Isolation
Hearing loss is also linked to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. It’s extremely common for people with hearing loss to become withdrawn and avoid activities and people they once enjoyed. Think about it: Are you going to enjoy time with your family at Cooper River if you’re constantly struggling to hear the conversations over the sounds of nature?
When you’re isolated, your brain is exposed to less stimuli, and as a result it becomes less active, causing structural changes in the brain like shrinkage and atrophy. This is called auditory deprivation. It’s unclear whether the results of auditory deprivation can be reversed, but researchers are hopeful about the impact of wearing hearing aids on the brain.
For more information about the connection between hearing loss and impaired memory or to schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist, call The Hearing & Balance Center today.