Our brains are complex; how do tinnitus and hearing loss affect it?
Tinnitus affects millions of people in the United States, and sadly, solutions are present but are not standard and may not fit everyone’s case. You might have come across ads that say that scientists have found evidence that tinnitus is shrinking your brain cells, which would lead you to imagine your brain getting smaller. Tinnitus and hearing loss could have the same effect on the brain. Does tinnitus shrink your brain?
Does Tinnitus Shrink Your Brain?
Not literally. However, it does alter the brain’s structure in that it can make the brain alert more often than usual, break down brain cell connections, and kill brain cells. In short, the brain has to work harder to function because it is in an alert state, also called dorsal mode. The ringing or whooshing sound makes it much harder for the brain to rest, as it is always listening to the sound.
The result is that the brain will work harder and wear out faster. It can break down brain cell connections and cause atrophy, a decrease in functionality. Your brain is not getting incrementally smaller every time you hear that ringing, but it can take a toll energy-wise.
Does Hearing Loss Shrink Your Brain?
Hearing loss has a similar effect. When you cannot hear as well, the brain has to work harder to catch sounds and can break down. The inability to hear others can also lead to social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Tinnitus also often leads to anxiety, irritability, and a lower mood, which does not help brain health. Hearing loss can have the same effect of brain atrophy as tinnitus does. It does not mean that a very sharp person must lose their brain function, but it can happen.
If you have hearing loss or tinnitus, Clarity Audiology is here to help you in Baltimore, MD. We can evaluate your case professionally and devise a treatment for you, such as hearing aids. With hearing aids, you can hear what you might not have, stay connected to the world, and enjoy a better life and better health.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.