Why Your Hearing Health Matters More Than You Think

This article was written by Cynthia Quintana, Au.D., a HearingLoss.com^®-Certified provider located at Central Florida Audiology in Apopka and Leesburg, Florida.

We often don’t think about our hearing until we start to lose it. But hearing isn’t just about catching every word in a conversation or enjoying your favorite music. It’s deeply related to how we connect with others, how our brain works, and how we experience the world around us.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “People just mumble,” or turning up the volume on the TV a little more than usual, you’re not alone. Many people dismiss hearing issues for years, whether it’s because of cost, availability of treatment, or bad past experiences. What many don’t realize is how much untreated hearing loss can affect every part of your life.

The Hidden Impact of Hearing Loss on the Brain

Dr. Frank Lin, a respected otolaryngologist from Johns Hopkins, has studied hearing loss for years. What he and his team have found is eye-opening and alarming:

• Your brain gets tired.
  When you’re constantly straining to hear, your brain has to work overtime to fill in the gaps. That extra effort, often called “listening fatigue,” can leave you feeling exhausted, scattered, and forgetful.
  
  
• Your brain can actually shrink.
  Areas of the brain responsible for hearing and sound processing can shrink over time when they aren’t stimulated — a process known as auditory cortex atrophy. This means untreated hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears; it changes your brain’s structure and function.
  
  
• You might pull away from others.
  When conversations become too frustrating to follow, many people withdraw and start avoiding dinners, phone calls, and even family gatherings. This isolation can increase the risk of depression, memory loss, and cognitive decline, and has even been linked to a shorter life span.

The Good News? Hearing Treatment Helps

Modern hearing technology has advanced tremendously. Today’s hearing devices, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, aren’t just tools to help you hear better — they help your brain, and relationships, stay sharp.

Research by Dr. Lin and Dr. Barbara Weinstein, a globally recognized audiologist specializing in age-related hearing loss, shows that treating hearing loss can:

• Slow down mental decline
• Improve your quality of life
• Keep you active, social, and independent longer

It’s not just about hearing more clearly — it’s about living more fully.

The Real Cost of Doing Nothing

It’s true: hearing aids and hearing care are an investment, but ignoring hearing loss can cost you a lot more in the long run.

Dr. Nicholas Reed, an audiologist and public health researcher at NYU Langone Health and his team found that people who didn’t treat their hearing loss:

• Were hospitalized more often
• Returned to the hospital sooner
• Spent more time in emergency rooms
• Had higher healthcare costs: $22,434 more over ten years

They also faced greater risks of dementia, falls, depression, and even heart issues. These aren’t just numbers. These are real consequences that can create a ripple effect across your overall health — ones that can be prevented or managed with the right care.

Taking the First Step: What a Hearing Evaluation Really Involves

Getting your hearing checked is easier than you might think — and it’s the most important step you can take.

Hearing evaluations aren’t just about “passing or failing” a test. They’re an insightful tool that helps your audiologist understand your unique hearing profile and lifestyle needs. A comprehensive hearing assessment looks at:

• Eardrum movement (to check for fluid, earwax, or pressure issues)
• Hearing thresholds for different tones and frequencies
• Speech understanding in quiet and noisy environments
• And most importantly, understanding what you’re personally struggling with

Audiologists are highly trained medical professionals who specialize in hearing and balance disorders. We don’t just run tests — we partner with you to listen, ask questions, and help you design a personalized plan that fits your life, your goals, and your needs.

Advanced Treatment Options Beyond Hearing Aids

While hearing aids help many people, they’re not the only solution. Depending on your hearing and your lifestyle, we may recommend additional therapies or technology.

Auditory Processing Testing & Therapy

Sometimes ears work fine, but the brain has trouble processing sound, especially in noisy environments like a restaurant. Auditory processing testing helps us identify these challenges, and targeted therapy can improve listening skills and comprehension.

Cochlear Implants

For those with significant hearing loss who receive limited benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants may be life changing. These small medical devices bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the hearing nerve. They can reconnect you to voices, music, and the simple sounds of daily life.

LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement)

LACE is a computer-based auditory training program and it’s like physical therapy for your brain! It helps improve speech comprehension in challenging environments, teaching your brain to focus on voices, filter background noise, and strengthen listening stamina.

Quick Answers About Hearing Health

Can untreated hearing loss really affect my brain?

Yes. Research from Johns Hopkins and NYU Langone shows that untreated hearing loss can cause auditory cortex atrophy — a reduction in activity and structure in the parts of the brain responsible for hearing and comprehension. This can affect memory, focus, and overall cognitive function over time.

At what age should I start getting my hearing checked?

It’s recommended to get a baseline hearing test around age 50 — or sooner if you notice ringing, muffled sounds, or need to turn the TV up louder than others. Annual hearing checks help catch small changes early, just like eye or dental exams.

Are hearing aids hard to adjust to?

Today’s hearing aids are highly customizable and can be programmed to match your unique hearing profile. Your audiologist can fine-tune them for comfort and real-world listening, and, with the help of auditory rehabilitation programs, adapting to hearing aids is smoother than ever before.

How do I know if I have hearing loss?

Common signs include asking others to repeat themselves, turning up the TV volume, struggling to follow group conversations, or feeling tired after listening. If these sound familiar, it’s time to schedule a hearing evaluation.

What happens during a hearing test?

A hearing evaluation is simple and painless. Your audiologist will check how your eardrum moves, measure your hearing at different pitches, and assess how you understand speech in quiet and noisy settings. The results help create a personalized plan for your hearing needs.

Caring for Your Hearing Today: Simple Steps That Make a Lasting Difference

Caring for your hearing isn’t just about turning down the TV or asking people to speak up. It’s about taking care of your brain, your relationships, and your future.

You can take simple, everyday steps to support your hearing and overall well-being:

• Turn the volume down. Keep personal devices below 60% of maximum volume.
• Use ear protection. Wear earplugs or earmuffs during concerts, yard work, or when using power tools.
• Schedule annual hearing checks. Just like eye exams or dental cleanings, hearing evaluations should be a regular part of your preventive care.
• Eat for ear health. Nutrients like omega-3s, folate, and vitamin D have been linked to better hearing and brain function.
• Stay active. Exercise improves circulation, which nourishes the delicate structures of the inner ear.

Prevention and early detection are the most effective ways to preserve hearing and to avoid the compounding effects of hearing loss on the brain and body.

If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing, or someone you love has, don’t wait. Reach out to an audiologist, book a hearing evaluation, and take the first step toward better hearing and a better life.

Because your hearing matters — more than you might think.

References

• Lin et al. (2023). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 402(10404), 786–797. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01406-x. Accessed October 15, 2025.
• Reed et al. (2018). Trends in health care costs and utilization associated with untreated hearing loss over 10 years. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 145(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.2875. Accessed October 15, 2025.
• Weinstein et al. (2016). Relating hearing aid use to social and emotional loneliness in older adults. American Journal of Audiology, 25(1), 54–61. https://doi.org/10.1044/2015_aja-15-00. Accessed October 15, 2025.

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At Central Florida Audiology, you’ll experience patient care that is specific to you, with exceptional follow-up care that ensures your hearing and balance needs are being met. Our team in Apopka and Leesburg prioritizes best practices and a patient-centered approach, which allows us to focus on satisfying your unique hearing care needs, whatever they may be. We will work with you to diagnose and find solutions for your hearing, tinnitus, and balance needs using state-of-the-art equipment and the most advanced technology.