age related hearing loss study

Nathalie Giroud, University of Zurich, prepares one of the test subjects for a hearing test.

With support from Sonova, a globally unique study by the University of Zurich has managed to measure and visually map the consequences of age-related hearing loss in the brain. The results show that in the event of hearing loss the brain requires intensive training to regain a better understanding of speech using hearing instruments.

Sonova has published a feature story on its website that outlines the outcomes of the recent study on age-related hearing loss. The story provides details on how, as we age, the hearing process becomes a tiring endeavor, and our brains feel the strain. This is why many older people eventually need a hearing aid. Age-related hearing loss was once attributed solely to exterior wear and tear within the inner ear (cochlea), but science has more recently come to the realization that the normal aging process also makes it more difficult for the brain to process speech. The thinner auditory cortex in the brains of older people is responsible for this change.

For more details, see the feature story on the Sonova website.

Source: Sonova