Hi All, Hoping someone in this Forum can advise.
Suffered sudden SSHL/UHL in left ear over 10 years ago; in late 30s. The loss is sensorineural, not conductive; up to Severe loss (80db+) level. As per my past posts in this Forum, top-tier CROS options do not work sufficiently for me to be useful; and in more recently post confirmed single-sided CI option is not available for me since I live in Japan. (FYI, sound like great option to look into, if it’s available to you!)
Q: If I constantly input sound into my severe-hearing loss (but not deaf) left ear using an appropriately programmed Hearing Aid, over time (assume years), could the plasticity of the brain allow to adjust & “recognize” the sounds by utilizing the limited cochlear hair cells and hearing neural paths that are still “active” and sending signals?
Seems hearing brain adapts and make sense of the weird sounds from CI over time. My right ear hears totally fine, so one hemisphere of my brain is already totally tuned to recognize & process all & any signal reaching it. Maybe brain would re-wired & piggy-back on that active side?
If there are any brain scientists, or just very smart people in the know : ) who can comment on this wild idea or share literature on this, would be highly appreciated. Thank you.
FYI, currently I put an adjusted hearing aid in my left bad ear; which allows for some “noise” recognition, but no actual comprehension or understanding. It’s a safety blanket, rather than actual working solution. I hear with my right ear only; which as any sensorineural SSHL/UHL sufferer will tell you is both “workable” in very quiet home or office environments, but also totally unworkable in even slightly noisy office, home, or outside environments!