Page 18 - Changes and Challenges

Dementia
Changes and Challenges
The inferior colliculus transmits to the medial geniculate nucleus, a part of the
thalamus where sound information is relayed to the primary auditory cortex
in the temporal lobe. Sound is believed to first become consciously
experienced at the primary auditory cortex. Around the primary auditory
cortex lies Wernicke’s area, a cortical area involved in interpreting sounds that
is necessary to understand spoken words.

Figure 6: Sense of Hearing - The Neural Pathways.

Disturbances (such as stroke or trauma) at any of these levels can cause
hearing problems, especially if the disturbance is bilateral. In some instances,
it can also lead to auditory hallucinations or more complex difficulties in
perceiving sound.

With degeneration of the brain as a result of Dementia particularly the
temporal lobe, aspects of how we perceive sound can be compromised.

Commonly people with Dementia may show distress when they experience
loud noise or certain frequency sounds. This reaction is not because these
triggers are exceptional (most people without Dementia would be

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