The Brain’s Role in Hearing

The Brain’s Role in Hearing

Sound waves are electrical signals which are also called as neural code. These waves enter the ears and are carried to the auditory cortex (hearing centre in the brain) via the auditory nerve. Here, at the hearing centre of the brain, the sound wave is decoded and thus we hear and understand the sound.

While the ear works in taking the sound input, it is the brain that identifies sound.

How hearing works in the brain?

 The brain’s hearing system is constituted of two sub-systems. They work together to make the sound heard in the brain. Of the two sub-systems, one works to capture the full sound scene while the other distinguishes sounds and recognizes which ones are important. This is how it helps the brain understand the sound scene around.

Orient subsystem works to analyse all incoming sounds. From low-frequency to high-frequency, it captures the entire perspective of sound scene so that the brain can process all sounds and orient them.

At focus subsystem, all irrelevant sounds are filtered out so that you can focus on the information you want to hear. Interestingly, the brain can shift attention multiple times in a second.

To ensure you get the right support for your hearing loss, consult experts from HNR Speech and Hearing Centre. We have latest treatment for hearing loss and you can avail the best hearing aids in Hyderabad.

What happens when you have a hearing loss?

 In case of a hearing loss, the auditory cortex doesn’t give the brain the full sound picture. When the brain doesn’t receive enough sound information, it cannot process hearing properly. The brain cannot orient itself with the surrounding sounds and it becomes difficult to focus on a particular sound.

The listening effort and mental load increases in such a situation. The brain also alters cognitive thinking and shrinks in volume. In this way, hearing problem can soon translate to brain problem.

Consequences of untreated hearing loss

Since hearing is a mental process, any problem in hearing may lead to brain problem. For your brain to function properly, it needs sound in its full perspective. When there is a hearing loss or inadequate treatment of hearing loss, the brain’s access to sound is limited; thereby causing serious life problems.

Solution to brain-hearing problems

Hearing loss, when not treated properly can put you at a risk of brain problems which can interfere in your day-to-day life.

A good pair of hearing aids should be able to provide good neural code to the brain. When the brain gets an overview of full sound scene, the two subsystems function hand-in-hand to give you perfect hearing.

One of the best ways to treat it is to wear a good set of hearing aid suggested by a health care professional. It is very important that the hearing aid you wear gives the right input to the brain. At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, we strive to give you brain-friendly hearing aids so that your brain can access full sound scene. Our experts provide solutions based on your brain hearing.

Whether you need hearing aids for conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss, our expert audiologists will help you get the right treatment.

To book a consultation, please call us on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087.