There are certain areas of the brain that process speech sounds. If the brain is not receiving this information due to hearing loss then its ability to understand speech may decline over time. Hearing instruments amplify speech sounds to enable the brain to receive the missing information. In this way, the use of hearing aids may delay the loss of speech processing skills that may occur over time.

We know what happens when we deprive the eye of light. A similar mechanism is apparent with our hearing senses. In effect, a “use it, or lose it” phenomenon exists.

• The ability to understand speech may deteriorate over time if the brain is not receiving all the speech sounds.
• The longer a person ignores the problem, the more difficult the adjustment to hearing aids.
• Studies suggest that we can benefit from using all sounds that may be available from amplification.