Especially with our growing population of active seniors, it is important to understand how hearing loss relates to cognitive decline. Getting more exercise typically refers to healthy habits such as walking, biking, treadmills, swimming, yoga or gym routines. As these activities enhance physical fitness, it is remarkable how sensory stimulation can positively affect mental fitness. With these goals in mind, the auditory cortex is the part of our brain that performs hearing functions and by exercising hearing, just like muscles, the more useful it will be.

Use it or you may risk losing it.

Research indicates that atrophy of functional brain pathways can reduce hearing ability and speech comprehension. Those with hearing loss may struggle with accelerated rates of cognitive decline and increased dementia risks as compared to individuals with normal hearing. Since hearing capacity can decline gradually, necessary testing is often delayed. With timely evaluation, we will identify if you or your loved ones have auditory issues, such as high frequency loss, which can increase risk and rate of cognitive decline.

While examining how hearing relates to brain function, we learn about neuroplasticity. This concept refers to our brain’s resilient ability to structurally reorganize itself, throughout life, by forming new neural or brain cell connections.

Amid a variety of listening situations in our activities of daily living, there is fascinating research about how playing musical instruments may positively impact hearing speech in noise and working memory. Based on decades of stellar research, this informative reference on music training presents captivating perspectives.

From start to finish, highlights include: