A common misconception about hearing aids is thinking that it is only necessary to wear them in situations where direct communication is occurring or in public settings. It may seem logical to think there is no need to wear hearing aids when there is no one else around. After all, there is nothing to hear during these quiet times, right?
Whether you are home alone reading a book or in a noisy environment, there are constantly sounds around you that are being processed by the brain. When the brain is deprived or overburdened by these sounds it adapts to compensate, which can end up altering your entire auditory process.
Consistent Stimulation for the Brain
Just as regular exercise is required to keep the body physically healthy, the brain also needs consistent stimulation to perform its required daily functions and processes. The ears need steady exposure to sounds in order for the brain to recognize and identify them.
Hearing loss typically involves the inability to hear sounds at certain frequencies. When people that require hearing aids do not wear them consistently, the brain adapts and adjusts. This can result in the brain forgetting how to hear and interpret particular sounds and words, leading to auditory deprivation.
Why Wear Your Hearing Aids at Home?
Becoming accustomed to hearing aids is not something that happens instantaneously. Getting acclimated and familiarized with hearing aids is a gradual process. When you are at home in a quiet setting, it is the perfect time to get used to the subtle sounds you may have been missing out on.
Hearing aids provide the amplification needed to pick up on these sounds so the brain can receive and decipher them. Retraining the brain to effectively process these new sounds help build a tolerance to louder sounds and noisier environments.
Why Wear Your Hearing Aids in Noisy Environments?
People that have trouble hearing in areas with crowds and a steady racket may be reluctant to wear hearing aids in these settings because they amplify the loud noises and make the situation overwhelming. However, hearing aids should be worn in all situations to establish consistency. Wearing hearing aids in both quiet and noisy surroundings trains the brain to distinguish what types of sounds to focus on and allows the hearing process to become more natural.
Benefits of Consistently Wearing Hearing Aids
Neurons in the brain are specialized cells designed to transmit information to other nerve cells. These information pathways are constantly being recreated, redirected, and disconnected. When hearing pathways become inactive due to hearing loss, essential neurons can die off. This can be prevented with routinely worn hearing aids.
Advantages of wearing your hearing aids daily during waking hours include:
- Retraining the brain to recognize and interpret a wide range of sounds
- Easier communication
- Reducing overwhelm in noisy environments
- Improved health and safety
- Reduced risk of falls and injury
- Reduced risk of dementia
- Preventing auditory deprivation
- Reducing the risk of permanent hearing loss
