Aging and Hearing Loss
Hearing loss causes lack of stimulation to the brain. That, along with aging, can create changes in the brain that may lead to cognitive decline, memory loss and difficulty hearing speech in background noise.
When Hearing Aids Are Not Enough
Hearing aids amplify sounds and stimulate the brain to reverse the negative changes due to hearing loss, but they cannot correct for changes in the brain due to aging. Even with hearing aids, it may still be difficult to hear in noise. Auditory training can help your brain recognize the sounds coming from your hearing aids and increase speech processing. Victory Hearing & Balance currently has a number of speech-based auditory brain training programs available. Dr. Davis created the music version of these auditory brain training programs based on research that brain stimulation is greater when listening to music versus listening to speech.
Music and the Brain
Research suggests that playing a musical instrument has the potential to change your brain function and structure when done over a period of time and can reverse aging in older adults. Music stimulates different parts of the brain and that stimulation can help reduce cognitive decline and improve speech understanding. It can also reduce stress and increase mental alertness. Both listening to music and playing music help your brain in different ways. Studies show:
- Playing piano improves attention, memory and problem-solving skills
- Musicians outperform non-musicians in difficult speech-in-noise tasks
- Musicians perform better in background noise and have better brain function on brain training exercises
- Music training leads to better speech understanding in background noise and improved working memory
Victory Music Program
Music training improves the function and connectivity of brain regions. The Victory Hearing Program can help increase your brain volume and strengthen the communication between brain areas. Playing an instrument changes how your brain interprets and integrates a wide range of sensory information. Music training at Victory Hearing is available to everyone. You’ll need a smartphone or tablet or you can make an appointment to use our devices in the office lab.
Call (512) 428-8355 for more information about the Victory Music Program.
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