CAN MILD HEARING LOSS LEAD TO BRAIN CHANGES?

Yes. For decades, it has been well known and accepted that substantial hearing loss and deafness lead to dramatic changes in the brain's auditory cortex and other brain structures. But did you know that new research out of the University of Colorado Boulder's Brain and Behavior Laboratory has demonstrated that even mild sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) leads to brain changes and cortical re-organization? The research also bears out that these changes begin quickly when SNHL becomes present rather than as a cumulative effect after years of worsening hearing.

CAN IMPROVING HEARING WITH HEARING AIDS AND COCHLEAR IMPLANTS HELP THE BRAIN?

Yes! Long-term research is still being gathered to paint the full picture on the benefits of hearing technology—like hearing aids and cochlear implants—as it applies to decreased brain recruitment and reorganization, but initial research points in that direction. Some case studies reveal that people wearing hearing aids appear to show a reversal in brain recruitment and reallocation. Further, the brain of a person who has been treated for hearing loss sooner rather than later experiences fewer changes in cortical resource allocation. Also, that person is more likely to retain better speech perception as compared to a person whose brain has "forgotten" how to hear as a result of long-term untreated hearing loss.

HOW ARE TINNITUS AND THE BRAIN CONNECTED?

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can manifest from a variety of factors. While tinnitus may have similar characteristics from person to person, each individual's experience with tinnitus can be different in terms of severity, manifestation, and a person's ability to cope with the condition. As much as 90 percent of tinnitus cases can be traced to hearing loss, and even mild hearing loss can lead to tinnitus. Researchers now know that, physiologically, tinnitus occurs in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). The DCN is the interaction site of auditory and somatosensory system inputs. According to the stochastic resonance theory, hearing loss increases the neural activity of the somatosensory system in the DCN and causes tinnitus. In essence, the brain detects hearing loss in certain frequencies and fills in the silence with ringing. Tinnitus flare ups can also be triggered or exacerbated by things like stress, ototoxic medications, smoking, alcohol consumption, and more. The best place to start in seeking a tinnitus management plan is with a doctor of audiology, who can test to determine exactly what frequencies of hearing have experienced damage leading to hearing loss and, thus, tinnitus. While tinnitus is not currently curable, toning it down is possible and is often best accomplished using a multi-disciplinary team approach with care providers from various specialties playing a role. For those whose tinnitus impacts daily mental health and function, managing the condition can have significant positive benefits for a person's well-being and quality of life.