If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ve probably come across Dr. Betsy Grunch, the wildly popular neurosurgeon known as “Lady Spine Doc.” She’s built a large following by explaining spine surgery, back pain, and other neurological topics in a way that’s easy for everyone to understand.
Recently, however, she shared a video that wasn’t about the spine—it was about hearing.
As an audiologist, Dr. Cristi Moore of Sonora Hearing Care in Tucson, Arizona, I couldn’t have been happier to see a neurosurgeon with her massive reach discussing the connection between hearing loss and brain health. This relationship is one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in healthcare today.
Watch Dr. Grunch’s video here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=925251400548787
The Ear-Brain Connection
Most people think hearing happens in the ears. But audiologists like myself have been saying for decades: you don’t hear with your ears—you hear with your brain.
Your ears simply collect sound. Your brain is what processes those sounds, separates speech from background noise, and helps you make sense of conversations and the world around you.
In her video, Dr. Grunch explains that when the brain isn’t receiving clear sound signals, it has to work much harder to fill in the missing pieces.
Major medical organizations agree. The Lancet Dementia Commission, one of the world’s most respected research groups, identified untreated hearing loss during mid-life as the number one potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia—meaning it’s a risk factor you have the power to change.
Think about it this way: you can’t change your age or your genetics, but you can address hearing loss. Researchers estimate that treating hearing loss could potentially prevent or delay up to 7% of dementia cases worldwide, helping millions of people maintain better cognitive health as they age.
The “Cognitive Load” Problem
Why does untreated hearing loss increase the risk of dementia?
It comes down to something called cognitive load—the amount of mental effort your brain must use to understand speech.
When hearing becomes difficult, your brain has to constantly:
- Guess missing words
- Decode muffled or distorted sounds
- Work overtime to follow conversations
This extra effort steals valuable brain resources away from memory, concentration, and comprehension.
Over time, the brain becomes fatigued.
Even more concerning, when the brain stops receiving clear sound signals, the auditory pathways begin to weaken and shrink—a process known as atrophy. Just like a muscle that isn’t exercised, these pathways become less effective over time.
The longer hearing loss goes untreated, the harder it becomes for the brain to recover.
Hearing Aids Are Physical Therapy for Your Brain
Many people still hesitate to wear hearing aids because of outdated perceptions.
The truth is, today’s hearing technology is nothing like the bulky devices of the past. Modern hearing aids are small, discreet, intelligent, and designed to support your brain—not just your ears.
In many ways, hearing aids are physical therapy for your brain.
At Sonora Hearing Care in Tucson, Arizona, Dr. Cristi Moore frequently sees patients who have waited seven to ten years before seeking help. Many tell themselves their hearing “isn’t that bad yet,” or they worry about the stigma associated with hearing aids.
Unfortunately, when it comes to protecting brain health, waiting is the worst thing you can do.
Early intervention helps keep the brain engaged, reduces cognitive strain, and preserves the auditory pathways responsible for understanding speech.
Protect Your Hearing—and Your Brain
If you or someone you love struggles to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments, don’t wait.
Dr. Cristi Moore of Sonora Hearing Care proudly helps patients throughout Tucson, Arizona, improve their hearing, protect their cognitive health, and reconnect with the people and moments that matter most.
Call Sonora Hearing Care today at 520-881-8740 or contact us here to schedule a comprehensive hearing and brain health evaluation.
Your ears matter.
Your brain matters even more.