Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues in modern America, with an estimated 50 million people over the age of 12 experiencing it to some degree. When visiting an audiologist, a diagnosis could be followed by several management strategies. One of the most misunderstood options is music therapy.
When utilized to its full potential, music can be a very effective tool for strengthening a person’s natural hearing capabilities. Here’s all you need to know about this aspect of a proposed hearing loss program and why your audiologist might use it.
Music Can Mask Tinnitus
If you experience tinnitus symptoms, such as ringing or buzzing in your ears, you must not ignore it. While forms of temporary tinnitus can be permanently fixed by treating the underlying issue like earwax blockages. However, most forms of subjective tinnitus bring permanent issues because they are linked to hearing loss.
In this instance, music can be a powerful tool for masking the white noise that you hear. Whether the music comes from a traditional sound source or directly from your hearing aids, the idea is that you begin to focus on the music and no longer hear the whistling or chiming of tinnitus.
Music Helps You Become a Better Listener
Music isn’t simply an effective way to mask tinnitus, though. Sound therapy and music therapy are also used to develop your listening skills. It can be particularly useful for anyone who experiences mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
There is a difference between hearing and listening. If you often find that a person’s speech becomes blurred with background noise, it may be possible to train your ears to become a better listener. Similarly, if you struggle to focus on one sound and find yourself becoming distracted by other noises, music can help beat this problem.
Music also encourages your brain to hear, listen, and process a wide range of sounds at different pitches and frequencies. You do this to enjoy a better listening experience, but it is a process that trains your ears and auditory processing system.
While it won’t technically treat hearing loss, it can help you become a more astute and intent listener. It allows you to:
- Develop the cognitive listening skills needed to focus on a sound.
- Separate sounds like voices from background noises.
- Fine-tune your ability to take in a full sound when multiple frequencies occur.
- Successfully drown out other noises, so that you ‘hear’ them but don’t ‘listen.’
Several studies have shown that musicians have heightened introduces music as a tool for hearing loss programs, it encourages you to develop those key skills too. In turn, you may notice that you become consciously attentive to a wider selection of sounds, along with improvements to your speech detection.
How to Use Music to Boost Your Hearing
Music can be enjoyed by anybody. However, if you actively wish to develop your cognitive listening skills, it is best to work with an audiologist. They can plan sessions that use music that covers a range of frequencies and can be used to improve your sound processing capabilities.
A range of exercises may be incorporated into this process, including but not limited to;
- Rhythm development: Some people naturally follow rhythm better than others. Tapping to the beat can be a great way to actively make your ears listen out for the sound and process its rhythm for a more free-flowing experience of sound.
- Singing: Singing is a great way to start processing different pitches with better results. Trying to match the pitch will also allow you to rebuild your ability to distinguish voices from other sounds.
- Active listening: This is achieved by listening to music with your eyes closed. Alternatively, you could try to locate a hidden sound source, such as a speaker. This helps with directional auditory processing.
Maximizing the Benefits of Music for Hearing Loss
Music can be used as an enjoyable way to enhance your active listening skills. It can also improve your mood and reduce anxiety while serving as a great tool for masking tinnitus. To gain the best results, though, hearing aids are often advised too.
Hearing aids will allow you to hear more sounds by picking up frequencies that your auditory system can no longer naturally hear due to issues like age-related hearing loss. When combined with the improved listening skills developed through the use of music, life-changing results can be achieved.
If you believe that music could be a valuable tool or have any concerns about potential hearing loss, scheduling an appointment with your audiologist is essential. To book an appointment with one of the friendly team members at Hear Here Audiology, give us a call at 727-289-1212 today.
