There are many myths and beliefs that float about regarding hearing loss. I think they are generated by an idea or statement that sounds good and is sometimes embellished to make it seem like fact. One belief that fits this category goes like this, “I don’t want to use hearing aids because then I will get dependent upon them and I won’t be able to hear as well without them.” The actual truth is totally the opposite. We hear with our brain and only use our ears as transducers to get the impulses to the brain. Like many parts of our body, the brain functions on the basis of “use it or lose it”. The brain is very plastic, meaning that it is totally moldable. If a part of the brain generally used for one purpose is not being used in that capacity, generally speaking, it’s like nature abhors a vacuum. If the auditory cortex isn’t being used for hearing, the sense of touch moves in and takes over that part of the brain, making the interpretation of residual hearing even more difficult. So going back to the “myth”, actual experience shows that “properly fit” hearing aids actually improve brain function by “re-wiring it” back. Unfortunately, this does not happen overnight. It sometimes takes many years to recapture what could have been avoided by, and again I say, “properly fit” hearing aids. The sad news is that improperly fit hearing aids can be equally as devastating as no hearing help at all.
Heritage Hearing Aid Center
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