The Profound Impact of Leaving Hearing Loss Untreated. Presenter: Alexandra degroot, AuD, F-AAA Clinical Audiologist and Hearing Ally, Founder

Transcription

1 The Profound Impact of Leaving Hearing Loss Untreated Presenter: Alexandra degroot, AuD, F-AAA Clinical Audiologist and Hearing Ally, Founder September 28th, 2016

2 Today s talk is based on: Research + Evidenced based methods Clinical Experience Life Experience 1

3 Alexandra degroot, AuD Owner of Hearing Ally - Provide training to providers and families. - Create and manage innovative hearing health systems. Doctorate of Audiology, UW - Residency at UW Medical Center - Outreach in Vietnam and El Salvador Clinical Audiologist at Bellevue ENT - Medical team based audiology - Diagnostics - Hearing aids and implants and aural rehabilitation 2

4 Model 1: Aging Increased Risk of Dementia Falling Aging Cognitive Decline Hearing Loss 3

5 Model 2: Hearing Loss Increased Risk of Cognitive Decline Falling Untreated Hearing Loss Dementia Depression 4

6 Overview What is hearing loss? The cost of untreated/undertreated SNHL. What you can do with your clients and family. The role of the audiologist and knowing where to refer your clients. 5

7 Review: Types of Hearing Loss Conductive hearing loss resides in the outer and/or middle ear. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is in the cochlea and/or auditory nerve. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the two others. 6

8 Phonak.com 7

9 Presbycusis (age-related SNHL) is characterized by gradual onset, symmetric, high-frequency SNHL, usually it is primarily cochlear in nature. The term Nerve hearing loss is not very accurate. Other sources of SNHL can have very similar or very different configurations (symmetry, high vs low pitch, etc) and timeline of progression compared to Presbycusis. 8

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11 Root causes of adult-onset SNHL: Vascular conditions Autoimmune and viral origins Noise damage Blow to the head Ototoxicity; Age-related mitochondrial decline Sensory cells of the Cochlea do not regenerate on their own. 10

12 60% of Americans over the age of 60 has a hearing loss. 11

13 Hearing Loss is often invisible to the individual as well as healthcare providers and employers. Because: Slow, insidious onset is most common we adjust. It looks very much like dementia/cognitive decline OR that the person is intentionally ignoring others. Denial is a powerful thing. People think it is normal aging and that nothing can be done. 12

14 Untreated adult onset hearing loss: Reduced income Increased fall risk later in life Increased risk of dementia (greater risk with more hearing loss) Decreased brain size and function (well beyond auditory regions) Increased risk of depression and isolation Even when corrected for age. 13

15 What can health advocates do? Model and coach effective communication strategies. Refer for quality medical and audiologic care. Be prepared to address the issue of cost. Counsel patients on importance of treating hearing loss to promote follow through and prevention of further decline. 14

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17 Effective communication methods: Face people they use visual cues. Do not yell - project from the diaphragm. Articulate and slow down - don t over do it. Rephrase instead of repeating. Reduce background noise. Get closer to the person. Ask what is most helpful for them. See my video blog for more on this. 16

18 What audiologists do: Diagnose, educate, refer for medical eval. Counsel pt s and families on communication, relationship skills, self-advocacy, managing discomfort and frustration. Understand, recommend, and manage ongoing support for their hearing loss Hearing Aids and other technology. 17

19 Setting expectations for clients: Medicare does not cover hearing aids. Affordable alternatives smart phone apps, low cost hearing aids, amplified phones, etc. Stress the importance of communication skills hearing aids alone DO NOT cure hearing loss. Send the patient to an Audiologist for a hearing test to start big-box store may not be best for them. **Their doctors may not know the importance of treating hearing loss or where to refer them.** 18

20 1) Leaving HL untreated can lead to serious issues we would never think of. 2) Age related hearing loss can be effectively treated. 3) You have a VERY important role. 19

21 Links ion/hearing-loss

22 Thank You! me with questions + feedback: info@hearingally.com 21

23 Thank You! We welcome your feedback! Questions? Comments? Contact us at Our previous webinars are available for viewing. Please go to

24 About WASHAA MISSION The Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA) is dedicated to promoting health advocacy in WA State, empowering patients and improving health care outcomes. VISION We seek to revolutionize how people view their health by transforming patients into empowered and active partners in their health care. Integrity Excellence Professionalism VALUES Collaboration Inclusiveness