We all know

that exercise is good for keeping our bodies in good shape.

There is more

and more evidence that exercising our ears is also good for keeping our

hearing in good shape.

A number of

studies in the United States and England have demonstrated that individuals

with hearing loss in both ears who use only one hearing aid tend to maintain

or improve their ability to understand words in the ear with the hearing

aid. The ear without the hearing aid tends to decline in word recognition

ability. This decline is not a change in hearing sensitivity, but rather

is a decline in the ability to process the complex speech signal simply

through lack of use.

One theoretical

explanation of this gradual decline is that the ear without the hearing

aid isn't being "exercised" very much. Another explanation is

that the area of the brain involved in hearing is not being used and becomes

less effective at processing speech information.

This gradual

decline in speech recognition ability usually reverses itself once the

ear gets more stimulation (normally through use of a hearing aid).

Research in

England suggests this process of a gradual improvement in speech understanding

may take four to six weeks after the hearing aid fitting, and may continue

for up to 12 weeks.

What does this

mean to someone with a hearing loss?

1. The longer

a hearing loss is ignored the greater the effects. The longer someone

puts off using hearing aids, the likelier it is that a decline in word

recognition ability will occur. The delay may also make it more difficult

to adjust to hearing aids. To use the exercise analogy, if you don't exercise

for 10 years, it may take longer to get back in shape.

2. The sooner

a hearing loss is treated, the easier the adjustment. If you never let

your hearing get "out of shape," it's much easier to adjust

to hearing "full-time."

3. In almost

all cases, two hearing aids are better than one. Two hearing aids will

keep both ears and both sides of the brain actively involved in hearing.

4. Improved

hearing may take a little time. Although hearing aids provide immediate

benefits, it can take 6 to 12 weeks for a hearing aid user to get the

full benefits of the improved hearing provided by new hearing aids.