Hearing Loss Can Impact Ability To Interpret Speech

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania indicates that reductions in hearing ability may speed gray matter atrophy in auditory areas of the brain and increase the listening effort necessary for older adults to successfully comprehend speech.

Researchers found that the gray matter thickness of the auditory areas was lower in people with decreased hearing ability, suggesting a link between hearing ability and brain volume.

"As hearing ability declines with age, interventions such as hearing aids should be considered not only to improve hearing but to preserve the brain," said lead author Jonathan Peelle, PhD, research associate in the Department of Neurology. "People hear differently, and those with even moderate hearing loss may have to work harder to understand complex sentences."

The studies found that people with hearing loss showed less brain activity on functional MRI scans when listening to complex sentences. Poorer hearers also had less gray matter in the auditory portion of their brains, suggesting that areas related to auditory processing may deteriorate when hearing ability declines.

"This study backs other research that we have followed for years," noted Dr. Mary Bohr, Director of Audiology at McGuires Hearing Services. "All of this research indicates that hearing loss is not just a matter of missing conversations. Hearing loss actually can reduce a person's ability to interpret speech."

Although the research was conducted in older adults, the findings also have implications for younger adults, including those concerned about listening to music at loud volumes. "Your hearing ability directly affects how the brain processes sounds, including speech," says Dr. Peelle. "Preserving your hearing doesn't only protect your ears, but also helps your brain perform at its best."

The research appears in the latest edition of The Journal of Neuroscience and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Bohr of McGuire's encouraged patients to speak with their primary care physician or a trained audiologist if they are experiencing any difficulty hearing or understanding speech. "Early intervention is key to detecting hearing loss and preventing a reduction in speech comprehension," she stated. "Some audiologists, including McGuire's, provide free hearing screenings, with no obligation to purchase a hearing instrument."