December 16, 2011

While we may not always notice small changes to our senses as we age, our brains definitely do. A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine revealed that individuals with poor hearing showed a decrease in gray matter density in auditory areas of the brain, suggesting a link between hearing ability and brain volume. According to Jonathan Peelle, PhD, lead author of the study, “People hear differently, and those with even moderate hearing loss may have to work harder to understand complex sentences.” This suggests that hearing aids may not only help you hear, but may also help preserve your brain.

Find out more about the fascinating study in this Medical News Today article.