Hearing Aids: The Brain Connection

As the field of neuroscience advances, it becomes increasingly clear that the study of human communication and disorders heavily relies on information about the brain. Only recently are we seeing more interdisciplinary efforts to link hearing and hearing loss to brain function so that new tests and interventions can be designed.

A challenge in science is that traditionally trained neuroscientists often lack knowledge in the areas of sound transduction (peripheral mechanisms and prostheses) and clinical problems. In turn, clinicians and hearing scientists often lack training in cognition and other related sensory systems. Here we bring a cross section of scientists together to share advances in science that are directed at improving the rehabilitation methods developed for people with hearing loss. Whereas the article by Billings and the article by Clinard and Tremblay emphasize some of the challenges when recording brain activity in people who wear hearing aids, Martinez et al and Sullivan write about new opportunities. The emphasis of the aforementioned articles is improving and quantifying sound detection. In contrast, the articles by Rudner and Lunner and by Pichora-Fuller et al address the various cognitive processes involved in making use of audible sound. Together, this collection of articles promotes a rich perspective in which to view the challenges faced by everyday users of hearing aids.