Hearing loss is often gradual and, therefore, something that you adapt to. You may not notice it for months or even years. But slowly our hearing does wear out for many as we grow older and it’s simply part of the aging process.

There’s a growing collection of detailed studies which clinically demonstrate that people with hearing loss do better addressing their limitation when they act quickly. In other words, the first time the family tells you to turn down the TV, it’s time for a hearing test.

Why? When the hearing nerves and the areas of the brain responsible for hearing are deprived of sound, they atrophy – weaken – making recovery from hearing loss through hearing aids that much more difficult. The fancy term used by hearing professionals is auditory deprivation.

The key to hearing better longer is to keep the hearing part of the brain active and NOT let it atrophy. Through the un-delayed use of hearing aids, you’ll enjoy better hearing longer.

On a final note, there are several studies that indicate that the ear can recover from the effects of auditory deprivation, though other studies show that resolution of auditory deprivation is generally significant but incomplete following amplification of both ears. In other words, yes, things get better with a pair of hearing aids but the improvement is incomplete, meaning that the sooner you recognize hearing loss and the sooner you get treatment the more success you will have with hearing aids.