Is there a relationship between Hearing and Cognition?

There is growing evidence that confirms there is a direct relationship between hearing and cognition. This relationship affects how well people use their hearing to function in everyday life and how well individuals adjust to hearing aids. When hearing loss is present, the brain has to use more energy, effort and time on listening and trying to understand what's being said.

The individual with hearing loss needs to work extremely hard to make sense of their world of sound. Untreated and poorly managed hearing loss (ie. those fitted with inappropriate or badly adjusted hearing aids or those not receiving listening and communication training) can lead to poor communication and reduced access to one's environment, significant others, communication partners and society. Hearing loss also limits 3 dimensional hearing and reduces our ability to select and follow the information we need. As a result, more attention and effort is required in listening situations.

Understanding the role of cognition in listening has become an essential part of the hearing rehabilitation process at Cubex.

What do we aim to improve when taking a client through a process of hearing rehabilitation?

This is clearly laid out by the World Health Organisation:

• Hearing – Perception of sound
• Listening – Hearing with attention and intent
• Comprehension – Unidirectional
• Communication – Bidirectional

Testing hearing with tones and improving hearing level is not enough. We also need to test and improve an individual's ability to listen, understand and communicate.