Hearing is one of our main senses. We use our ears to listen to others’ thoughts and ideas. Our brains are designed to hear and understand speech, but hearing loss inhibits that. What could the repercussions be?
When you experience hearing difficulty, the auditory nerve — the nerve that carries sound information to the brain — begins to weaken. This weakness forces the area of the brain that processes sensory input, like sound and speech, to work harder to make sense of what it is hearing. It can become tiresome just to listen because the brain is working so hard to figure out the missing pieces. People with untreated hearing loss gradually start avoiding group settings and later social situations altogether.
When your hearing loss is properly treated with hearing aids, you are able to engage and be present with your friends and family. Conversations will be enjoyable and fulfilling. You can go to your favorite restaurants or try new ones without the worry of the noise overpowering your conversations. Music will be richer and dynamic again. Presentations, lectures and sermons will be audible, enlightening and inspiring. You will be able to have stimulating conversations about what you learned with your peers. Hearing will again become automatic and effortless.