We are all familiar with the “use it or lose it” dictum that says if you do not exercise, you will lose muscle mass. As it turns out, this warning applies to areas of the body other than musculature. A study involving mostly seniors found that those living with hearing loss actually experienced brain shrinkage. That is, when deprived of auditory stimulation, gray matter volume in the auditory cortex was seen to decline. This conclusion was reached by comparing MRIs of individuals with hearing loss to others without hearing loss. Overall, the scientists reported that those with impaired hearing lost more than an additional cubic centimeter of brain tissue each year compared to those with normal hearing.
P.S. The study mentioned above gives another very good reason to address hearing loss sooner rather than later.
Hearing loss is an invisible condition; we cannot see hearing loss, only its effects. Because the presence of a hearing loss is not visible, these effects may be attributed to aloofness, confusion, or personality changes. To schedule a hearing exam, please call EAR & HEARING CLINIC. We are registered members of the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario. “Hear the Sounds of Life.”
