Auditory Deprivation

Auditory Deprivation occurs when the hearing nerve is under stimulated. Untreated hearing loss can result in auditory deprivation that can lead to a weakening of the entire auditory system.

Because hearing loss in adults is typically gradual, there may be a long period of time in which the auditory system and areas of the brain are deprived of adequate sound. This deprivation can result in atrophy in areas responsible for hearing and understanding speech.

Our ears bring in the sound, but we hear with our brain. As sound is processed through the auditory system, it isn’t interpreted as speech until it reaches the auditory centers of the brain. 

When the auditory system is deprived of sound it affects the ability of the brain to understand speech. If a sound is not reaching the ear, then it’s not reaching the brain.

The amount of auditory deprivation that individuals experience varies but is most likely dependent on the amount of hearing loss and length of time the auditory system has gone under stimulated.

The most common cause of auditory deprivation of the hearing system is not treating a hearing loss with amplification. 

Atrophy can also occur as a result of single hearing aid use when bilateral hearing loss exists. The aided ear takes most of the listening responsibility leading to a weakening of the unaided ear over time.

Studies have shown that even when an unaided ear is later aided it will be more difficult to adapt to the sound because of the deprivation. This becomes very challenging.

Another often-overlooked cause of auditory deprivation can occur as a result of an improper hearing aid fitting. If the amplification isn’t providing adequate sound to the auditory system atrophy can still occur.