We hear with our ears, but we understand with our brain. Our brain makes sense of the noises we hear every day. So if you’re hearing people speak, but you’re not understanding what their saying, your brain, rather than your hearing, may be the culprit.
In a study published by the Journal of Neurophysiology titled “Effect of informational content of noise on speech representation in the aging midbrain and cortex,” researchers discovered that as we age, our brain’s ability to process and understand speech declines, even for those who have no hearing loss.
However, your hearing difficulties could also be caused by damaged hair cells inside your inner ear (cochlea). When damage occurs in the high-frequency areas of the cochlea, speech may sound garbled and comprehension may become difficult.
Luckily, a comprehensive hearing assessment can identify which challenge you face and what can be done to help improve both your hearing and your comprehension. It usually only takes 60 minutes, and you don’t need a referral from your doctor. Request an appointment with a hearing professional today.
Are you ready to start your journey to better hearing? If you are a Canadian over the age of 18 who may have hearing loss, book a free hearing test with us today!
4 Comments
I believe what you said My hearing could be damaged by the hair cells. Speech may sound garbled and not clear specially in the restaurant. So may I ask can it be healable?
Hi Bobby. Unfortunately, there is no officially recognized cure for hearing loss. However, it usually can be treated with hearing aids or assistive listening devices. To discuss the full range of treatment options for you in particular, I would recommend booking an appointment with a hearing specialist. If you are in Canada, you can do so through our site.
I wear a hearing aid in my left ear but sound is not clear.
I have a cochlear implant in my right ear from 2008 but don’t use it.
Hi Ian. Hearing aids have advanced quite a bit since 2008! We recommend you book a hearing appointment to discuss the latest options that can provide better sound clarity. If you live in Canada, you can book a free appointment through our website. Thanks for commenting.