The Department of Speech, as well as Hearing Science at Colorado University, conducted a study that dealt with the way neuroplasticity plays into the adoption of the brain when it comes to hearing loss issues. The resulting implications of hearing impairment and how brains adapt after the case were the themes of the study.
The most notable findings by the researchers were that hearing impairment occurs mostly in brain areas that are devoted to other senses like vision and touch, all of which also affect the hearing process. The structure is referred to as modal cortical. The plan reflects how the brain compensates for the loss of some senses. Therefore, in hearing impairment cases, the compensatory system reduces the ability of the mind to route sounds. In turn, the situation affects the capability of understanding speech.

Types and Causes of Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing impairment

It occurs if the cochlea, which is the inner ears or even hearing nerves, get damaged, or fail to function correctly. Sounds become challenging to hear and even softer, particularly in noisy environments. The problem occurs in both ears. Aging, head injuries, genetics, congenital hearing impairment, Meniere disease, reactions to medication as well as exposure to loud music are some causes of the impairment.

Single-sided deafness

The case occurs in a single ear while the other one retains its good health. The case involves little or even in worse cases, no hearing in an affected ear, while hearing is normal on the other one. Viral infection, Meniere diseases, adverse reaction to drugs, ear, and head injuries are among the causes of SSD.

Conductive hearing impairment

It is experienced when damages in either outer or even middle ear block sound vibration from reaching the inner ear. Ears feel plugged while speeches sound muffled, particularly in noisy backgrounds. Microtia, Atresia, and other birth malfunctions, Goldenhar, Treacher Collins, and other Down syndromes, are among the causes of conductive loss of hearing. Furthermore, chronic Mastoiditis, Cholesteatoma, draining ears, benign tumors, and ear infections are other causes of the impairment.

Mixed hearing impairment

The problem is a situation where one may experience both the conductive and Sensorineural damages. The combination may result in a worse case. Symptoms and causes are of both cases involved.
Hearing loss is an alarming case in the health sector. The rate at which people are undergoing the problem is on the rise. However, most of the impairments seen are manageable and treatable. Affected people are advised to seek medical attention within the shortest time possible. However, according to research, some people permanently lose their hearing ability when they fail to handle the hearing loss with the urgency needed.

Various treatment plans are adopted for different cases. For example, some patients undergo surgeries for treatment, while others use medication and regain their hearing capacity. In other circumstances, the affected individuals are required to wear hearing aids or even have the devices implanted in the ear.

Nevertheless, before audiologists recommend the plan or types of hearing gadgets to use, the extent of damages is diagnosed first. In some cases, where patients are experiencing SSD, one hearing aid is recommended. However, in bilateral hearing impairment where both ears are affected, it’s advisable to use two hearing devices. You could be wondering why two and not one. Below are the pros of wearing two hearing aids.

First, the user of two hearing gadgets will realize the direction of the sound. Localization of sound through the brain system that starts from the ear may be affected when one ear is inactive. Therefore, you can hear speech but fail to note the side it comes from when using one aid.

Secondly, better sound quality is achieved. You could not be experiencing more problems when you can hear but do not understand. With a single gadget, clarity of sounds turns out to be difficult. Therefore, improved use of two hearing aids is achieved through clarity and quality sounds. Thirdly, minimal amplification settings are also an advantage. The sound amplified by one ear will be half of that of two gadgets. Therefore, people with one electronic device for the hearing will have to set volumes high. The intensity could also be a cause of further damage. Therefore, using two aids could be an ideal approach.