What is the Difference Between Hearing and Understanding?

Your ears are sophisticated sound processing devices. But, it is important to know that unless your brain is receiving a complete picture of the speech sounds around you, understanding may not happen, even though hearing is taking place. The most common example of this is the presence of age-related or noise-related hearing loss. Typically, such hearing loss conditions effect a person’s ability to hear higher pitched sounds more so than lower pitched sounds. When it comes to understanding speech, this means that vowel sounds come through fairly well, while consonant sounds may not. This creates a very muffled form of speech which is difficult to understand, even though you know someone is talking. 

Careful hearing loss testing can identify such a situation, and can direct the audiologist to provide correct solutions such as amplification and/or listening skills therapy. 

AuDNet, Inc. is a nationwide network of independent audiology providers.  All AuDNet audiologists have earned advanced university degrees in audiology, and are fully trained to interpret case histories, carefully test and evaluate all aspects of the auditory system, advise physicians on hearing loss and balance etiologies, and treat hearing loss and balance conditions that are not amenable to medical or surgical intervention. 

The first consideration in seeking hearing care is the expertise and skill of the care giver. Through the AuDNet network of audiology providers, patients have an easy and effective way of insuring that they are receiving hearing care and treatment from qualified and highly trained audiologists.