Selective Hearing: Is It a Thing?

Without a doubt, communication can be frustrating sometimes. Maybe you just experienced something similar at the Thanksgiving dinner table this past week. It seems, sometimes, like people just hear what they want to hear. People tend not to listen when they don’t want to listen. In these moments, where communication breaks down, it’s easy to feel disregarded and unheard. Communication is the foundation of any strong relationship, whether it’s with your spouse, partner, children, friends, or colleagues. There are instances, however, where selective hearing isn’t an intentional choice, but rather a physical reality.

Understanding the Prevalence of Hearing Loss

For the 48 million Americans who experience some level of hearing loss, certain frequencies and decibels are not registered by their auditory system. Some degrees of hearing loss make it difficult for individuals to hear higher-frequency voices, such as that of women and children. As we age, hearing loss occurs naturally in the form of presbycusis.

Generally speaking, age-related hearing loss is natural and it affects the hair cells of the inner ear. Our outer ears receive sound waves, which are transmitted and amplified in the middle ear, and then translated into neural signals by inner ear hair cells. These signals are then sent to the auditory cortex of the brain where they are processed and registered as sounds we recognize, such as the bark of a dog or ring of the doorbell. These hair cells tend to die as we age, and they do not regenerate.

As a result, for one in three older Americans, age 65 and above, hearing loss is a reality. For people age 75 or older, that number rises to 50% who experience some degree of hearing loss. The Hearing Loss Association of American estimates that it takes an average of seven years from the time people notice changes in their hearing until they decide to seek consultation from a hearing specialist and take a hearing test. Though hearing specialists recommend that people get their hearing tested as soon as they experience any changes in their hearing. Untreated hearing loss, as diverse studies have found, often lead to greater health issues.

Social Isolation and Dementia: Risks that Come with Untreated Hearing Loss

In the past few years, studies from Johns Hopkins University have found potential links between untreated hearing loss and dementia. When the brain struggles to make sense of sound and attempts to fill in the uneven gaps sent via the inner ear, researchers found evidence of an increased cognitive load in the brain. Other studies have found links between untreated hearing and increased rate of fall, as the auditory center of the brain also controls our balance. With untreated hearing loss, there is a higher rate of hospitalization as well. Aside from these medical issues, untreated hearing loss increases the risk of stress, anxiety, and depression due to social isolation.

And perhaps this is where the question of selective hearing arises. If you are concerned about a communication breakdown with your loved one, consider the context of hearing loss. There are several tell-tale signs of hearing loss: your loved one may ask you to repeat yourself a lot; your loved one may be confused by something you’ve said or gets frustrated because they believe you are mumbling; your loved one may have the volume turned up high on the TV or radio. Often times, people with untreated hearing loss tend to avoid social situations because conversations with multiple speakers can be difficult. Generally speaking, if you’ve noticed a loved one withdrawing from you, it might be hearing loss.

Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss

It’s easy to take things personally and believe that someone is ignoring you or doesn’t value your opinions. But for people of a certain age – 50 or older – it may signal something more. Though it is a sensitive topic, it is important to encourage your loved one to take a hearing test.

An annual hearing test, from the age of 50 onwards, could help monitor hearing abilities. When your loved one treats hearing loss, it not only improves your communication – it improves, more importantly, their emotional and physical health.

At Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services, we offer comprehensive hearing tests that will indicate an individual’s hearing ability. These exams will give you a scientific answer to the question, “Are you even listening to me?” and will also benefit the hearing health and improve the general quality of life for your loved one.