TEXAS BACK INSTITUTE MAKES ONE OF THEIR OWN WHOLE AGAIN HOLIDAY CHEER OR CHALLENGE A HOLIDAY HEART-TO-HEART
Michael B. Jordan MAN OF THE MOMENT MAKING HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
Attorney Deandra M. Grant is the Managing Partner of Deandra Grant Law’s five offices. She is an international speaker on DWI law, science and trial skills. As the author of the annually updated Texas DWI Manual, she is viewed by her peers as being a leader in her field. Deandra understands the science behind alcohol absorption and elimination rates and can use this knowledge to competently defend you.
Deandra formerly was an assistant district attorney. Her tenure as a prosecutor focused on DWI prosecutions which has given her firsthand knowledge on how to counter the prosecutor’s evidence and strategy. Deandra has spent hundreds of hours in training courses and programs related to DWI defense and has completed the certification course to administer standard field sobriety testing (SFST), the same training course taught to police officers nationwide on how to identify drunk drivers during traffic stops. As a certified SFST Instructor, Deandra has taught the course to other attorneys. She’s also completed the coursework on DWI forensic blood and urine testing.
“I have a masters degree in pharmaceutical science and a graduate certificate in forensic toxicology. I am able to take apart evidence in ways a lot of other attorneys are not able to do. The most important part of my job is being the barrier between the government and my client. Standing between them. Making sure their rights are protected.”
–DEANDRA GRANT
Texas Hip and Knee Center Fellowship Co-Director and Faculty at the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University
Dr. David Shau is a native Texan, born in Fort Worth, TX. He graduated high school in Flower Mound, TX, and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied biomedical engineering. Dr. Shau then ventured out-of-state to work at leading academic orthopedic surgery centers, including Vanderbilt University, Emory University, and University of California, San Francisco, before being recruited to return home to practice at the premier DFW joint replacement group, the Texas Hip and Knee Center (THK).
Dr. Shau has quickly built his practice through connecting with his community, committing to quality service, and delivering excellent patient care. He utilizes a variety of techniques and approaches for hip and knee care, including direct anterior hip replacements, and offers technology-assisted surgeries, such as Mako Technology for partial and total joint replacements. He also specializes in revision joint surgeries and enjoys complex, challenging cases. As a result of dedicating himself to his craft, his partners at THK promoted him to Fellowship Co-Director early in his practice. Dr. Shau also serves as a Physician Development Coach and is an Assistant Professor at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, where he enjoys his roles as a teacher, mentor, and coach.
In his free time, he enjoys food, sports, music, and spending time with his wife and daughter. For more information on Dr. Shau’s care philosophy and the techniques/approaches offered for hip and knee care, please visit DavidShauMD.com.
Every decade has its stars—the anointed few who somehow capture the zeitgeist of a specificmoment in time and end up definig a generation. A star at his peak, actor Michael B. Jordan isn’t taking his moment in the spotlight for granted. From his start as a child model for Toys “R” Us to starring on the big screen, Jordan has parlayed each of his roles into something bigger and better.
While his fist big action hero turn in Fantastic Four was a bust, Jordan stayed the course and would go on to earn a role that would jumpstart his career. Playing Donnie Creed, the son of boxer Apollo Creed in the seventh Rocky film, Jordan transformed his body for the role. The movie was a career catalyst and led to starring parts in the Black Panther, No Remorse, and Creed II. Now Jordan is taking on his directorial debut with Creed III We check in with Jordan on page 8 to fid out what’s next and to get the details on a new project where he’ll be featured as the black version of Superman.
Switching gears slightly, in this issue we also sit down with someone else whose body has been transformed, albeit not for a movie role. Cheryl Zapata knew something was seriously wrong the weekend of her son’s wedding when her right hand, arm, and thigh simultaneously went numb. Although she’d been dealing with neck and back issues for years, along with suffering from debilitating headaches, she had previously shrugged it offand never considered the issues were related. But, as she was getting ready to celebrate her son’s momentous day, she recognized this time her symptoms required professional attention.
As it turns out, Zapata’s condition was much worse than she suspected. Without the quick acting doctors of Texas Back Institute, Zapata’s story would not have a happy ending. Check in to page 26 to hear her journey to a pain-free life.
As we move ahead into 2023, we hope you enjoy all the things medical and beyond in this winter issue of LIVING WELL Magazine. During the holiday season, we are reminded that the giftswe cherish the most don’t come wrapped in a box. Rather, it is the time we spend with loved ones that makes the greatest present of all. As you celebrate the holidays with friends and family, we encourage you to take some time for yourself and try not to get stressed out. We offer some suggestions on how to do just that on page 40.
Be well!
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There are many reasons why it’s important to care for your heart. At Texas Health Heart & Vascular Specialists, our reason is you. With heart care plans customized to you and your needs, we’re ready to help you achieve a heart-healthy future. From proactive prevention and diagnostics to advanced bypass and valve surgery and more, discover our compassionate and comprehensive approach to your heart health.
There are many reasons why it’s important to care for your heart. At Texas Health Heart & Vascular Specialists, our reason is you. With heart care plans customized to you and your needs, we’re ready to help you achieve a heart-healthy future. From proactive prevention and diagnostics to advanced bypass and valve surgery and more, discover our compassionate and comprehensive approach to your heart health.
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Dr. Courtney is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon located in Plano, Texas. A Louisiana native, he attended Louisiana State University for medical school, and completed residency at Texas A&M followed by a fellowship at the Florida Neck and Back Institute.
SPECIALTIES:
• Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Spine Pain
• Disc Replacement
• Microdiscectomy
• Spinal Fusion
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Steroid Injections
• Physical Therapy
“I believe in treating each of my patients with honesty, dignity, and respect. My patients come away from our shared interactions feeling confident, assured that they are truly in the best hands. Throughout my career, I have remained laser-focused on providing world-class care and innovation to the patients I treat on a daily basis. I look forward to getting to know you!”
;PhotocourtesyMarvelStudios
WithoutRemorse;PhotocourtesyParamount
Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther are some of Michael B. Jordan’s best movies. Imagine if these films hadn’t cast him. That could have happened had he not gotten his start as a child model for Toys “R” Us. However, he broke into the industry as a model, moved into the acting world, and he’s been thriving. Now, he’s a producer and making his directorial debut in Creed III, coming out in 2023.
Although Jordan didn’t think he was an attractive kid at age 11, a receptionist at the doctor’s officbelieved he was cute enough to try modeling. “I figued it was a cool way to make some extra dollars and get out of school early,” the 35-year-old told Backstage Magazine. Small modeling parts led to bigger ones, resulting in a notable effect.
Jordan’s fist offial acting roles in 1999 were in a single episode of Cosby and Th Sopranos. His fist signifiant film role followed in 2001 when he was featured in Hardball, starring Keanu Reeves.
Television roles between 2002 and 2011 included Wallace in the fist season of the HBO crime drama series The Wire, Reggie Montgomery on the ABC soap opera All My Children, and Vince Howard in the NBC sports drama series Friday Night Lights. He also landed guest starring appearances, independent film roles, and spots in music videos.
“I was everybody’s little brother, and I got to learn from Idris Elba, Dominic West, Michael K. Williams, Wendell Pearce, Wood Harris … the list goes on,” he told The Guardian about his experience on The Wire. “There were so many phenomenal actors there, and I picked up tools from them that I still use daily on set.”
While these early television roles were the start of his success today, Jordan almost gave up on his acting career when he fist moved to Los Angeles because he had difficulty fiding someone to represent him.
“I remember when I fist came to L.A., and my mom and I went to all these agencies trying to get representation, and they passed on me,” he said in an interview with Vanity Fair
Jordan’s film performances between 2012 and 2019 include Red Tails, Chronicle, That Awkward Moment, Fantastic Four, Just Mercy, and Parenthood
But the role that catapulted Jordan into superstardom was in 2013 when he starred as shooting victim Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station. His performance garnered critical acclaim, including being named an “actor to watch” by People and Variety. In addition, Time magazine named him one of 30 people under 30 who are changing the world, and he was also named one of 2013’s breakout stars by Entertainment Weekly and GQ
“I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy role to play,” he told The New York Times. “But I saw a lot of similarities to myself.”
In 2015, Jordan starred in Fantastic Four, which was a bust at the box offi. However, his next big break at the box offi came in 2015 when he starred as Donnie Creed, the son of boxer Apollo Creed in the seventh Rocky film, Creed
Jordan prepared for his role as a boxer in Creed by undertaking a year of rigorous physical training and a stringent low-fat diet. “I felt muscles I never knew I had,” Jordan told Men’s Journal.
“I’VE PASSED ON A LOT BECAUSE I CAN’T PLAY EVERY BLACK HISTORICAL FIGURE. THERE ARE OTHER AMAZING, TALENTED ACTORS OUT THERE THAT SHOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE.”
Since the Creed role, a few of Jordan’s other starring parts, such as in the Black Panther, No Remorse, and Creed II, have required him to stay in excellent shape. As a result, he’s stuck to a workout and diet routine that helps him portray a boxer, an elite Navy SEAL, and a supervillain, respectively.
To prepare for Black Panther, Jordan’s trainer had him liftheavy weights twice daily, including bench presses, lat pulldowns, and deadlifts.Additionally, he did aquatic fitness routines for No Remorse. Workouts for Creed focused on cardio, such as boxing. Jordan drank a gallon of water daily and ate five to six small, clean, carb-heavy meals a day.
“It’s hard to go out to a club or a party when you’re like, ‘Oh, wait! Meal prep! We gotta go pop this thing in the microwave and eat food.’ It’s tough to socialize when you gotta get in shape like that,” the 35-year-old Jordan said on The Ellen Degeneres Show
Jordan may have even less time to socialize with his additional title as executive producer. After launching the production company Outlier Productions in 2019, he co-produced the animated series Gen:Lock and the legal drama Just Mercy. Also, his production company signed a deal with Amazon and is developing Val-Zod, an HBO Max series featuring a Black version of the DC Comics character Superman.
“I’ve passed on a lot because I can’t play every black historical figue. There are other amazing, talented actors out there that should have opportunities for those,” he told Men’s Health. “One of the reasons [I started] the production company was I wanted to be able to open up the doors for other people that haven’t had those shots, that maybe couldn’t see the pathway or the move to carve out their piece.”
Jordan is ready to make his directorial debut with Creed III, which includes boxing champion Canelo Alvarez, in addition to producing and repeating his starring role as boxer Donnie Creed, set to release in March 2023.
“Directing has always been an aspiration, but the timing had to be right,” Jordan said in an interview with Variety. “Creed III is that moment—a time in my life where I’ve grown more sure of who I am, holding agency in my own story, maturing personally, growing professionally, and learning from the greats like Ryan Coogler, most recently Denzel Washington, and other top tier directors I respect. All of which sets the table for this moment.”
Jordan is producing and starring in the sequel of I Am Legend with Will Smith. There’s no offial release date yet.
In the meantime, Jordan has been settling into the $12.5 million brand-new mansion in L.A.’s Encino community that he bought in May.
“IT’S HARD TO GO OUT TO A CLUB OR A PARTY WHEN YOU’RE LIKE, ‘OH, WAIT! MEAL PREP!”
Pain Management • Sports Medicine • General Surgery • Spine Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery • Neurosurgery • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Total Joint Surgery • Foot & Ankle Surgery • Hand Surgery
Gynecological Surgery • Plastic Surgery
Orthopedic
Southwest Foot & Ankle Center is a respected group of board certified foot and ankle surgeons. They are fellow trained surgeons, and board certified in wound care and reconstructive surgery. All physicians have also completed an intense residency and fellowship in the area of limb salvage, and foot and ankle surgery. The team at Southwest Foot & Ankle Center strive to make each patient’s experience personable. Our outcomes are of perfection and meticulous in surgery. As a result, patients from all over the country seek to be treated by DFW Wound Care Center.
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Bunion and Hammer Toe Correction
MIS—Minimally Invasive Surgery
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis) Stem Cell Therapy
Neuropathy
Ingrown Toenails
PLANO CLINIC 5804 Coit Rd., Ste. 100 Plano, TX 75023
LEWISVILLE CLINIC 502 N. Valley Pkwy., #2 Lewisville, TX 750067
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Diabetic Foot Care Flat Feet Trauma Wound Care
Custom Orthotics & Braces
Laser Therapy for Pain, Swelling, Arthritis, and Wounds
CLINIC 6161 N. State Hwy. 161, Ste. 320 Irving, TX 75038 DESOTO CLINIC 714 N. Hampton Rd. De Soto, TX 75115
Back pain can make any movement unbearable. The orthopedic specialists at Orthopedic Institute of North Texas can resolve your back pain and return you to the activities you’ve been missing.
We offer comprehensive operative and non-operative orthopedic expertise to resolve your joint issues with care, compassion and confidence. Returning you to a fuller more productive life is our priority and you can depend on us throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. You can rely on our doctors to fully discuss every step of your medical treatment until you feel comfortable and confident that the solutions we recommend will deliver the best possible outcome.
Don’t put your life on hold one day longer because of your pain. Call the experts at Orthopedic Institute of North Texas today.
Education:
Medical School:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Residency:
Penn State University at Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
Fellowship:
Spinal Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Memberships:
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• North American Spine Society
• Cervical Spine Research Society
• Scoliosis Research Society
Dr. Kowalski specializes in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar problems ranging from disc herniations to complex spinal deformity correction surgeries. His interests include degenerative, traumatic, and oncologic spinal conditions and aims to help patients navigate operative, as well as nonoperative, treatment modalities to help solve your spine problems.
Dr. Kowalski enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife and four children. He is an avid outdoorsman, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and spends much of his free time hiking, fishing, hunting, and boating. He also likes exercising regularly and playing golf. Dr. Kowalski is fluent in Spanish and is currently welcoming new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
Dear Olivia,
The doctor has told us that it is probably time to consider palliative care or hospice. We are not sure we really understand the difference. Can you shed some light on this for us?
-Seeking Help with Advanced Illness
Dear Seeking Help with Advanced Illness, Hospice can be a scary word, and palliative care is a confusing concept for many! At VNA, we try to help families to navigate the difficult world of health care options when health is beginning to fail. Simply stated, palliative medicine is aimed at symptom management and quality of life for those with serious or complex medical conditions. Hospice is a type of palliative care but is only one option. In palliative care, a person does not have to be terminal and can continue all treatment options and doctors’ visits as desired. Your doctor may refer you to a palliative clinic or supportive palliative care program if he or she feels that you may benefit from a specialist in symptom
management and coordination of care. Oftentimes, complex conditions require the input of a team of physicians, and to help you navigate this sometimes confusing and stressful journey, palliative care can offer the expertise of a physician certified in hospice and palliative medicine, medical social worker, RN case manager, Nurse Practitioner, spiritual counselor and more. Another option at the end of life is hospice care, which is a type of palliative care that is focused on quality of life and providing comfort in one’s own home. For patients who wish to stay at home with their families and no longer want to go to the hospital or emergency room, hospice care can provide the same type of interdisciplinary care as palliative care, but in the comfort of one’s own home. VNA hospice and palliative care are here to help you navigate these difficult decisions and is one phone call away should you need assistance at any time.
Dr. Jason Tinley, MD is a minimally invasive, board certified, orthopedic spine surgeon. He specializes in spine surgery, including spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, minimally invasive cervical and lumbar spine surgery, cervical artificial disc replacement, and microdiscectomy.
Dr. Jason C. Tinley is committed to excellence by pledging to provide the highest quality spine care possible. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, he strives to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all treatment plans with the goal of alleviating possible future difficulties. Dr. Tinley has become a leader in instruction and research in disc replacement and has a passion for optimizing spine surgery outcomes through development and utilization of new techniques, research and materials.
“Dr Tinley is a leader in the field of spinal surgery. His technique is excellent, but he does not rush to pursue surgery. Very good at explaining your condition and allowing you to decide a course of treatment.”
—RANDALL W.“My experience with DFW Center for Spinal Disorders was excellent. Dr. Tinley and his staff are attentive and compassionate. My surgery went better than I could have ever expected, and I am now pain free!”
—BARBARA K.
The Light Adjustable Lens by RXSight has a unique ability to allow post-operative cataract patients to test-drive and customize their vision to their individual lifestyles. You can fid this revolutionary new option at the officesnd surgery center of Key-Whitman Eye Center.
“I’m excited about the Light Adjustable Lens because it gives our cataract patients the power to choose their own fial vision,” says Key-Whitman’s Chief Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Whitman. That’s why he recommended it to his wife, Bonnie, when her cataracts were becoming an issue.
Bonnie knew it was time to take care of her cataracts when she started having trouble seeing to drive at night. Previously, she had enjoyed many years of great vision without glasses or contacts after she had Radial Keratotomy (RK) surgery in the 1990s. The RK treated her distance vision, but like LASIK, does not prevent the need for reading glasses later in life. Nor can it overcome the problem of cataracts. Bonnie missed having great vision without the need for glasses, so she chose the new Light Adjustable Lens for her cataract surgery.
What Should Cataract Patients Know About the Light Adjustable Lens Experience?
Patients will not notice any difference in the procedure. As in any cataract surgery, once the cataract is removed, it is replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). In Bonnie’s case, Dr. Whitman inserted the Light Adjustable Lens during her cataract procedure.
Dr. Whitman likes to refer to the Light Adjustable Lens as the “Magic Lens” because the focusing power of the lens can be modifid using a painless beam of specialized ultraviolet (UV) light. That’s where the post-cataract surgery experience is different for Light Adjustable Lens patients. Like Bonnie, these patients need to wear UV protection when outside until fial adjustments are made. When Bonnie’s vision was completely stable and she was fully healed after surgery, Key-Whitman was able to fie-tune changes to her lenses. Once she was happy with her vision, her fial adjustment was performed with the UV light—no need for more surgery. As a result, she can see without correction for all distances.
How Do You Know It Is Time For Cataract Surgery?
When you are young, the focusing lens inside the eye is flexble and
clear. It could automatically adjust to see things at every distance, much like the lens on a camera. In your mid-40s, you begin to lose your ability to focus up-close and, eventually, it progresses until it becomes a cataract. That clear and flexble lens is now dense and cloudy. As it advances, the cataract gets thicker and turns from clear to yellow, then all the way to brown. That’s why people with cataracts can no longer see true colors. Also, bright lights can cause blinding glare when you have cataracts, which makes it hard for people to see well enough to drive, especially at night.
While most cataracts develop gradually and over time, certain medications, diabetes, or trauma to the eye can cause earlier onset of cataracts. If you notice that even with glasses that you can no longer see well enough to do the things you love to do, it’s time to see your eye doctor.
How To Choose Your Cataract Surgeon?
When selecting a surgeon to perform your cataract surgery, it is important to choose a board-certifid eye surgeon, who is both highly experienced and can offer you a full range of lens options to enhance your vision.
The doctors at Key-Whitman offer you the best of both. They use only the most advanced equipment and techniques approved by the FDA, so you can feel confidet about your procedure, no matter which option you choose. Ths is one reason Key-Whitman can offer advanced options like Light Adjustable Lenses, as well as other high-tech lenses to decrease your dependency on glasses or contacts. In fact, Key-Whitman is one of the few centers in Texas to offer this exciting technology.
In addition, Key-Whitman participates in many research clinical studies with the FDA. Leading providers of new technologies specifically request Key-Whitman because of their expertise and experience. Ths allows the practice to offer the latest options to patients.
Join the thousands of patients, who have chosen Key-Whitman to improve their vision. Patient surveys show that the doctors and staffat Key-Whitman are caring and responsive to questions. If you are noticing changes in your vision, don’t let cataracts stop you from enjoying your daily activities.
Call Key-Whitman to treat your cataracts and take care of all your eye health needs.
Chian-Huey (Amy) Hong MD
The ophthalmic staffmember of Key-Whitman, Amy Hong, is proficiet in all aspects of general ophthalmology. While she is able to perform various ophthalmology procedures, Dr. Hong focuses her practice on cataract and refractive surgery. She medically manages glaucoma, offering treatments such as MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma devices) and laser therapy. Additionally, she treats conditions such as dry eye, monitors for diabetic eye disease and other conditions that affect her adult patients.
Prior to joining Key-Whitman Eye Center, Dr. Hong attended Columbia University graduating with a double major earning her Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Med and Economics. She went on to obtain her medical degree from the University of Texas in Dallas. Shortly after, Dr. Hong completed a glaucoma fellowship and her residency at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans.
Ronald M. Barke, MD
Dr. Barke was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and has been in practice in Arlington since 1995. He completed his training at the UT/Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where he presently is a clinical assistant professor and teaches in the resident training program. He is a dedicated surgeon specializing in cataract and refractive surgery and is certifid by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Barke has performed thousands of cataract and refractive surgery procedures and presently performs the “state-of-the-art” no stitch cataract surgery. He also offers the toric IOL implant for astigmatism and multifocal IOL implants for patients who desire to reduce their dependency on reading glasses after cataract surgery.
• Comprehensive Adult Eye Care
• Light Adjustable Lens, Synergy™, Symfony®, PanOptix, Vivity®, EVO Visian ICL™ and the Toric IOL
• Management of Glaucoma & Corneal Disease
• Eyelid Surgery & Botox®
• Laser Vision Correction
Give us a call today 817-460-2272 or Toll-Free 800-442-5330
www.keywhitman.com
Convenient locations to serve you in Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Mesquite, Frisco, Arlington, Rockwall and North Fort Worth.
us
DFW Wound Care Center is a group of wound care specialists in all of the DFW area. They are fellow trained surgeons, and board certified in wound care and reconstructive surgery. All physicians have also completed an intense residency and fellowship in the area of limb salvage, and foot and ankle surgery. When it comes to wound care and limb salvage, DFW Wound Care Center has the knowledge and experience to successfully treat your condition. As a result, patients from all over the country seek to be treated by DFW Wound Care Center.
Whether caused by diabetes, infection or disease, any wound that will not heal can be very serious. If you are experiencing a wound or ulcer that will not properly heal, our wound care center can provide a range of expert treatment options best in each case. We offer non-surgical and surgical treatments for:
Diabetic Wounds & Ulcers
Arterial Ulcers
Infected Wounds
Open Wounds
Pressure Ulcers
Vascular Wounds
Acute Wounds
Non-Healing Wounds
Chronic Wounds
Surgical Wounds
Traumatic Wounds
PLANO CLINIC
5804 Coit Road, Ste. 100 Plano, TX 75023
LEWISVILLE CLINIC
502 N. Valley Pkwy., #2 Lewisville, TX 75067
IRVING CLINIC
6161 N. State Hwy. 161, Ste. 320 Irving, TX 75038
DESOTO CLINIC 714 N. Hampton Rd. De Soto, TX 75115
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Cheryl Zapata knew something was seriously wrong the weekend of her son’s wedding when her right hand, arm, and thigh simultaneously went numb.
Although she’d been dealing with neck and back issues for years, along with suffering from debilitating headaches, she had previously shrugged it off and never considered those issues were related. But, as she was getting ready to celebrate her son’s momentous day on May 21, 2022, she recognized this time her symptoms required professional attention.
“When we were getting ready for the wedding at our ranch, my husband and I were doing a lot of physical labor and I must have pulled something or done something that led to losing functionality,” explains Cheryl.
As she headed to work the Monday following her son’s nuptials, Cheryl didn’t have far to go to see a specialist about the increasing numbness overtaking her limbs. As the Chief Development Officer for Texas Back Institute for the past 14 years and a vendor for the practice for 17 years prior, she immediately consulted with Dr. Rajesh Arakal, an orthopedic spine surgeon at TBI, to assess the situation.
After explaining to Dr. Arakal what was going on, he performed a myriad of tests, and immediately sent her for an MRI. After reviewing the results, Dr. Arakal recommended surgery. “I was hoping to have surgery later in the summer, but Dr. Arakal explained that once you start to have
neurologic symptoms (numbness, tingling, weakness) you need to have surgery sooner than later,” explained Cheryl.
“I’ve had some neck pain and back pain that was manageable for years, although my right arm and hand had been getting weaker and weaker over time,” says Cheryl, who was also becoming increasingly prone to dropping things. She was getting Botox injections every eight weeks for migraine headaches, had balance issues and was known to fall. Hearing these details further cemented Dr. Arakal’s diagnosis for immediate neck surgery. In looking at the options available, Disc Replacement, which is a motion preservation surgery, was considered. However, it was determined she was not a candidate due to her physiology. Dr. Arakal then recommended a neck fusion surgery.
Cheryl had no qualms as she was wheeled in for her neck fusion surgery on June 9. “I’ve always had a lot of confidence in the TBI doctors, and I have known there is a great benefit to coming to Texas Back Institute for many reasons. These doctors stay on at the forefront of spine treatment through education and research by attending weekly Neuroscience meetings. There is a peer review process in place and they present their interesting cases to one another bi-weekly to learn from one another. TBI also has a research facility at the Plano location which enrolls patients in FDA studies. It is a diverse group consisting of pain management, neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons. But, most importantly, the doctors here treat everything from degenerative spine
One of the things I was most impressed by was that the doctors were very thorough in explaining to me exactly what was going on with my body during this process. They make sure their patients know what’s happening, what they’re going to do, why they’re going to do it, and what the results should be.
conditions to scoliosis to trauma patients and specialize in specific areas of spine care which allows patients to get the treatment that is right for them,” she says.
Her confidence was well placed. “I remember laying in the hospital bed right after my neck surgery and I said to my husband, ‘I can feel the strength returning to my hand,’” she says. “A couple of days later, I went to get something out of the refrigerator and before I knew it, I had grabbed a drink and as I pulled it out, I was reaching over with my left hand to try and help my right hand to keep from dropping it. Suddenly, I realized, I’m not going to drop it. I can hold things now.”
Her neck fusion required a 24-hour hospital stay and a six-week recovery period, before her back surgery. While the neck fusion alleviated the numbness and lack of strength in her hand and arm, her back surgery was becoming increasingly more urgent as she was losing the ability to use her right leg and walk. “My right leg under my knee felt too heavy to pick up when I tried to walk,” explained Cheryl.
When it came time to address her back, Dr. Arakal re-evaluated her completely and determined that while he could do a fusion on her back that wasn’t what she needed. “‘What you need,’ he said, ‘is an ultra-minimally invasive discectomy which is done endoscopically so that it doesn’t disrupt your tissue but more importantly so that it doesn’t disrupt your bone,’” details Cheryl. In this ultra-minimally invasive spine surgery, relief is generally immediate and it requires a very small incision.
Armed with this information, Dr. Arakal referred Cheryl to Dr. Peter Derman a fellow orthopedic spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute who specializes in this specific procedure.
Sending her to Dr. Derman further bolstered Cheryl’s confidence in Texas Back Institute. “They will refer you to the proper doctor for your
specific needs and they will ensure the right surgery for you. I’ve always known that, but as I was going through the process, it struck home in a different way,” she says. “Why would you go anywhere else? You would want to go to a place where you know no matter what’s wrong with you, you’ll end up with the surgeon right for you.”
“One of the things I was most impressed by was that the doctors were very thorough in explaining to me exactly what was going on with my body during this process. They make sure their patients know what’s happening, what they’re going to do, why they’re going to do it, and what the results should be,” Cheryl explained. Six weeks after her neck fusion, Cheryl went in for back surgery at 1 p.m. and was home by 5:30 p.m. the same day. “I’m an insider and work for these doctors, I get it, but when it happens to you, it’s weird. I had just gotten back from recovery, and they said, ‘You’re going home.’ I thought, ‘I can’t walk, I just got back from recovery,’” says Cheryl, who was pleasantly surprised to find out she could walk without any issues.
Not only is she pain free, but she also has full mobility, and her headaches are a thing of the past. She’s also gained a fresh perspective on her job. Roughly three months post-surgery and Cheryl reflects on her positive experience as a patient of Texas Back Institute. “It may sound cliché but going through this situation motivates me more to help get patients who are suffering with neck or back pain or issues to our doctors who can help get them back to their lives.”
As Cheryl embarks on a pain-free life, she’s excited for a future that includes holding her grandchildren. “I have a one year old granddaughter that I had not been able to pick up. Especially over the last year, I was afraid I might drop her. I love being able to pick her up now without having to sit down first and have someone hand her to me!”
“Where we are committed to excellence”
Cantex Continuing Care Network has been performing the highest standards of transitional healthcare and long-term residential services for more than 30 years. Ask anyone who knows. Cantex stands for quality.
• Private and semi-private studios, some with kitchen elements and/or Frenchdoor courtyard patios
• Flat-Screen televisions
• 32 channels of satellite television service
• Wi-Fi internet access
• Electric beds for easy comfort adjustments
• Living room with fireplace and player piano
• Library with computer stations and complimentary internet access
• Chapel
• Neighborhood cafes with complimentary premium beverages and snacks
• Restaurant-Style dining room
• Beauty/barber shop with full-time beautician
• Activity program with community outings
• Sedan and van for resident transportation
• Around-the-clock skilled nursing
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies
• Wound Management
• Intravenous Therapy
• Tracheotomy Care
• Physician Services
• Medication Administration
• Enteral/Parenteral Therapy
• X-Ray Services
• Laboratory Services
Diane S. Litke, MD Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Litke is a passionate artist, both in her spare time and as an orthopaedic surgeon. At L&W Orthopaedics, she approaches every orthopaedic problem with an eye toward restoration of function and mobility. With a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the body’s most active and important joints, Dr. Litke is able to repair most hip, knee, and shoulder problems, giving her patients the freedom to move again. Assisting her skilled hands, she uses the latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment for accuracy and precision, delivering a powerful combination of experience and technology to all of her patients.
Dr. Litke earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina. She is certi ed by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Associaion of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Litke is the medical director of the Orthopedic Department for Methodist Health System and is a liated with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center, where she is the director of the joint program. When she’s not working, Dr. Litke enjoys photography and cycling.
Please call 972.498.4791 to schedule an appointment.
Orthopaedic Surgeons located in Richardson, TX
www.LWOrthopaedics.com
Brian Nwannunu, MD, MS, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement. He cares for patients at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s offices in Sherman and McKinney, Texas.
Dr. Nwannunu, a native of Dallas, graduated Valedictorian from the High School for Health Professions at Townview Magnet Center in DISD. He then earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was part of the Morehouse College Honors Program. Upon graduation, he completed his master’s degree in Physiology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a concentration on complementary and alternative medicine. Dr. Nwannunu then graduated with his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Dr. Nwannunu completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the John Peter Smith Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas, before pursuing additional training with a fellowship in adult reconstruction at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. In addition to his clinical training, Dr. Nwannunu enjoys mission work abroad, providing medical care and health education to populations in need.
He is a member of the American Medical Association, National Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
When not working, Dr. Nwannunu enjoys basketball, weight training, outdoor activities, attending art and music festivals, traveling, world news, and reading.
Dr. Chambers is an orthopaedic surgeon at Texas Bone & JointArlington who specializes in joint replacement surgery. He received extensive training in joint replacement surgery during his fellowship at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital, which was voted as the top hospital in the United States. Dr. Chambers has implemented the techniques learned at Harvard Medical School into his own practice and offers minimally invasive total hip / knee replacement, partial knee replacement, revision surgery for malfunctioning, loose, and infected joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery of the hip and knee, and revision of failed and recalled metal-on-metal total hip replacement implants. Dr. Chambers focuses special attention on surgical techniques for rapid recovery after total joint replacement which allow his patients a more predictable and earlier return to home and an active lifestyle.
Dr. Chambers is pleased to offer the MAKOplasty Robotic-Arm Assisted partial/total knee and hip replacement. The MAKOplasty procedure is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and unique anatomy using a CT-based 3D modeling. The robotic arm technology allows for extremely precise placement of hip/knee components with potentially less soft tissue injury than traditional joint replacement.
Dr. Chambers is a Texas native and grew up in Houston, Texas. He attended medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and completed residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Harvard Medical School. In his free time, Dr. Chambers enjoys traveling with his wife, Christine, and spending time with friends and family. He is an avid sailor and enjoys participating in sailing races on the local lakes in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area.
ELDER LAW FOR SENIOR ADULTS & THEIR FAMILIES
Elder Law is first and foremost about empowering seniors. Elder Law services help you address issues of living arrangements, financial well-being, healthcare options, and the ultimate disposition of assets, enabling you to make your own choices and decisions about managing life as you age.
During the holiday season, we are reminded that the giftswe cherish the most do not come wrapped in a box. Rather, it is the time we spend with loved ones that makes the greatest present of all. As you celebrate the holidays with family and friends, we encourage you to sit down with the seniors in your life to discuss their plans for the future. There is more to planning for the future than just signing documents as part of an estate plan. Discussing Elder Law issues with your loved ones will give them options so they can have control over decisions about their own care, thus giving them peace of mind. After all, Elder Law is fist and foremost about empowering seniors. Elder Law is not a type of law, but a relatively new way to bring
• LIVING ARRANGEMENTS—No one knows exactly what the future holds, but the key to feeling secure is to keep all of your options open. There are a wide range of living arrangements for seniors, from retirement communities to assisted living facilities to memory care to skilled nursing facilities. Some people want to stay in their own homes as long as possible and bring in outside help to make that possible. Others want the freedom from home maintenance that a senior residence community offers. Elder Law services can help you weigh all the options and make sure you have the right plans in place for the future.
• FINANCIAL WELLBEING—Money matters can be especially complex for seniors. It is important to plan carefully and preserve your assets for when you need them most. Will your Social Security, pension, or other retirement fund be enough to pay your monthly expenses? Will you be eligible for public benefits such as Medicaid or Veterans benefits? Do you have long-term care insurance? Have you designated individuals to act on your behalf in fiancial and legal matters through a proper Durable Power of Attorney so your fiances can be protected if you cannot act for yourself? Elder Law encompasses all of these decisions within the context of planning for long-term care.
several areas of law together to benefit a particular group of people— older adults. Elder Law services enable you to make your own choices and decisions about managing life as you age. Everyone wants to have some control over the future, and Elder Law helps people do just that. The main areas of Elder Law include planning for your living arrangements, fiancial wellbeing, healthcare options, and the ultimate disposition of assets. Helping seniors learn about these Elder Law issues may be the most valuable gift ou give this year.
Starting the conversation about aging and planning for care can be overwhelming. Consider opening the discussion with these important topics:
• HEALTHCARE OPTIONS—Healthcare in the United States has become one of the most confusing and uncertain issues we face. If you have private insurance that covers medical expenses or long-term care, you need to be sure that changing laws and regulations will not affect your coverage. If you rely on Medicare and a Medicare Supplement or, alternatively, a Medicare Advantage Plan to pay your healthcare costs, do you know what your benefits those plans will cover when you need them? Elder Law includes these issues, and can help you outline your wishes for health decisions through a Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directives.
• DISPOSITION OF ASSETS—Elder Law includes estate planning issues such as wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and property transfers. As time passes and circumstances change, it is often necessary to make changes to your plans to control the disposition of your assets during your lifetime and after you pass. Further, depending upon the government benefits for which you may be eligible, changes may be needed to ensure your long-term desires are met. Elder Law considers the importance of planning to preserve assets and maintain eligibility for public benefits.
As this holiday season approaches, consider having a heart-to-heart with your loved ones about these important Elder Law issues. The peace of mind for your family will be the gift hat keeps giving for years to come.
Georgia Smith-Lyle is a Mental Health Counselor in Dallas and surrounding areas. Her main office is in McKinney, and her ranch office is in Petty, Texas, where she utilizes Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with her horses. She is also an author and is passionate about writing. She and her husband, Jeff, have begun a retreat venue which will host all different occasions (whiteroseranch.com). To reach Georgia, email her at gpsmith7@aol.com, or call 469-855-0256.
Most of us growing up looked forward to the holidays. Children’s idea of the holidays and the joy they bring is far different than an adult’s perspective. I believe we all would like to maintain a childlike attitude and naivety about the holidays. As we get older, we meet life with more responsibilities and somehow most of the “cheer” in a holiday season dwindles. The cheer is replaced with emotional, fiancial, and physical challenges. We may even start out the season with thanksgiving, hope and cheer in our attitudes only to meet with some reality. What about the emotional reality of trying your best to accommodate schedules? You search for the best possible way to make sure everyone gets visited or comes for a visit only to fid yourself challenged and a bit stressed at making sure everyone will feel important and included. Or the emotional reality of spending on giftsbeyond what your fiancial budget may really allow but wanting to make sure loved ones and friends know how important they are through your giving. Then there are the physical challenges we put upon others and ourselves attempting to travel short or long distances, driving for hours or flying just to make sure we fulfill our holiday commitment. But the reality many times is the holidays can bring more stress, depression, anxiety and conflit when met with stressful challenges than the holiday cheer the season is intended to be all about! The challenges of the holidays are also intensifid trying to accommodate blended family schedules and meet the needs of the children involved. We also want to make sure the elderly and physically challenged are not left out when in fact they are forgotten about much during the year until the holidays. The stress of trying to juggle fiances, your time and your emotional tank of giving can send you over the edge into anxiety, depression, fatigue and a lack of motivation. All of these negative emotions are counterproductive to “the holiday cheer” the season is mean to provide.
In spite of all the challenge, I believe most of us would agree we still look forward to the holiday but are not sure how to adjust our life, and emotional tank to meet the challenging needs these four months out of the year demands. First, we must admit a few things about what we can and cannot do during the holidays and be at peace with our decision. It may not be the decision others “expect of you,” or “require of you.” Ask yourself the pros and cons of your decisions. It is true the holidays are all about thinking of others, spending time with friends and family, and giving of yourself. But if you stretch yourself thin either emotionally, fiancially or trying to travel everywhere to make sure you see everyone you will defeat the purpose of the season… the holiday season is meant to bring cheer, joy and peace. You most likely will go into the new year needing a vacation from the holiday season.
I suggest you take an inventory and do a pros and cons of your decisions. Establish now what you believe is emotionally healthy for you to meet the needs of the holiday season. Remember, if you balance your own life with healthy expectations for yourself, you will be much happier and able to enjoy other’s company. You will have energy leftover to enjoy life and the joyful moments each day brings. I’m not suggesting the holiday should be or even can be made stress free. That is not reality. But I am suggesting a good look at what you can and cannot do this holiday season, looking at the pros and cons and then following through with your decision. Let loved ones and friends know ahead of time your ideas about how you need to spend the holidays so that no one is taken offguard. Maybe even scheduling a get together after the fist of the year or springtime for those you are not able to spend time with during the holidays. Most loved ones and friends would probably welcome and be relieved at your ideas making the holidays less of a challenge. Your ideas are mostly ones they have thought of but have not wanted to mention. I hope you fid these suggestions helpful. I also hope the holiday season of 2022 leaves you happy, healthy and refreshed in every area of your life!
Fortunately, most people will only need the services of a funeral professional two or three times over the course of their lifetime. Although a person may attend several funerals during their lives, they will only be responsible for choosing who to use for a close family member a few times. If you’ve had a good experience in the past with a professional, that is normally who you will call again. But what if you’ve never needed those services or you are new to your area and fid yourself in need of a funeral home?
Surveys indicate people will choose, and most often remember, a funeral professional because of the way that person made them feel when they had their fist encounter. You can only do so much reliable research before the time comes when you need to have a conversation with someone and make your choice. Before calling a funeral home for a conversation, part of your research should be looking at BBB ratings. See if that funeral home has had complaints filed and how they were resolved. If you belong to a church, check with your pastor or religious leader. They will often have experiences working with different funeral directors and can offer guidance based upon those who they’ve had the best encounters with. Also, checking the content on a funeral home’s website can shed light on whether there may be a good fit. Ultimately, after doing your due diligence, call and talk to a funeral director and have some questions ready to ask during that conversation.
Cost for the services you will want provided will be something
to cover in that discussion. But, unless you only have limited or little money with which to work, you should refrain from only focusing on who is the cheapest. As with all things, the cheapest price is usually a result of corners being cut, processes skipped or less than ethical practices being used. Instead of focusing on just cost, listen to how the person you are talking to answers your questions. You will be able to pick up quickly on how interested that person is in serving you and your family or if you feel as if you are being “sold”.
A good funeral professional will be kind, patient, understanding and will spend whatever time is necessary to be sure you have clear and concise answers to all your questions and concerns. Surprisingly, after two or three conversations with different funeral directors, you should detect very distinctive differences and the one you feel most comfortable with will become apparent.
Your funeral director has been educated and has experience in all the details that need to be tended to in meeting legal requirements and helping you plan a tribute that will be meaningful, appropriate and affordable. Taking the time on the front end of the process to assure you are working with the best fit for your needs will pay offin the end. Finally, don’t put offhaving this discussion until you have a need. Planning for an imminent death or pre-planning for yourself prior to the time of need is highly encouraged. Having things decided and secured ahead of time is a giftto your family that will be appreciated more than you can imagine.
L TO R: TOM DALEY,* JESSICA PERRONI,* KEVIN SEGLER,* NEDA GARRETT,* RICK ROBERTSON,* JULIE CRAWFORD,* BRIAN LOUGHMILLER,* SALLY PRETORIUS,* DERON SUGG AND LAUREN HARRIS.
*BOARD CERTIFIED IN FAMILY LAW BY THE TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION
FAMILY LAW IS NOT ONLY WHAT WE DO. IT’S ALL WE DO.
With more than thirty proven attorneys in four office across North Texas, KoonsFuller is one of the largest family law fims in Texas and the Southwest. KoonsFuller Family Law offers clients a level of legal representation and range of resources unmatched by any other family law fim. Whether your case calls for informal negotiations, mediation, collaborative law or court proceedings, KoonsFuller is equipped to handle cases of all sizes and issues and has been doing so for over 40 years. The Plano attorneys pride themselves on the compassion, skill, and thoughtfulness they bring to each case. They understand that every family is unique and every family’s concerns are different, especially when divorce, custody issues, and fiances are involved.
RICK ROBERTSON SHAREHOLDER
family law, divorce, child custody, prenuptial agreements, property division, paternity PLANO 5700 W. Plano Pkwy., Ste. 2200 Plano, TX 75093 (972) 769-2727
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Working together, as a fully integrated team, there is no case too large or complex for us to manage. To learn more about KoonsFuller, visit koonsfuller.com.
Most people who have worked hard all their lives to accumu late assets generally desire those assets to be leftto their chil dren in the most benefical way. However, for some adult children, a large inheritance of assets could be dangerous, both to the children and for the assets. Ths article summarizes some of the estate planning strategies you can use to protect the assets from the children themselves, their creditors, their spouses, scam artists, and any number of other threats.
We all know families in which adult children encountered problems after they lefthome. These problems could include addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, fiscal irresponsibility, inability to retain a job, or wages inadequate for long-term saving and moving beyond a handto-mouth existence. Additionally, unexpected and catastrophic health problems may arise. You probably know someone who experienced fiancial stress due to divorce or overspending, and subsequently getting behind on monthly credit card or car loan payments. And there are some adult children with no current fiancial problems, but through accident or bad choices fid themselves in resultant crisis.
These are just a few examples of life’s little hand grenades that can ruin the fiancial future of your children. In reality, every child, no matter how wealthy, is vulnerable to some degree of fiancial problems. Therefore, in the best interest of children, it is wise for parents to consider asset protection for the assets their children will inherit.
Traditionally, most parents have a Last Will and Testament bequeathing their assets to their children. Once a child inherits these assets, there is very little that can be done to protect the assets from existing or future creditors. The child cannot defeat the interests of an existing creditor by giving the assets away, putting the assets in trust, or any other strategy. In addition, the executor cannot keep the assets in the estate in-defintely if the Will says the assets are to go to the children.
In order to protect against these problems, the parent writing the Will can place very strong protection around the assets they wish to
leave the child. In other words, by leaving assets to a child in trust, the parent can make sure their assets remain protected from the child’s creditors. The parent has a rare and fleting “once in a lifetime” opportunity to set up a carefully drafted and irrevocable spendthrift trust in the Will to forever protect their assets.
A trust is basically a contract in which you appoint a trustee to manage the trust’s assets for the greatest benefit of the trust’s beneficiary. The terms of the trust can provide for how much and how often income and/or principal is distributed to the child and for what purposes. For example, the trust can be drafted to supplement the child’s income with a specificor variable amount of money every month, or on an as-needed basis. The trust can provide distributions for health care, education, support, or general welfare. When the child dies, the trust terms can dictate how the remaining assets are to be distributed to the child’s children, a charity, or another entity chosen by you.
Consequently, assets leftto your child in trust are protected from your child’s past, current, and future creditors. A well-drafted trust can prevent the trust assets from becoming community property and thereby becoming vulnerable to the trust beneficary’s spouse in a divorce. It is even possible to allow the child to be trustee of their trust and therefore have control over the assets you leave him or her. On the other hand, it may be in the best interest of the child for you to appoint someone else to serve as trustee to manage the assets and distribute income or principal to the child as needed. In general a trust can be established in your Will for your child and customized to your child’s particular situation so that the trust provides the level of asset protection, income protection, asset management, and fiancial assistance that is in your child’s best interest.
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We think of the obvious effect of hearing loss with regard to communication difficulties. However, your hearing health contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life. Statistically, hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans after hypertension and arthritis. Aging also brings cognitive processing deficts that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss, falls and other accidents. Let’s examine these effects.
Memory and Hearing Loss: Adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than adults with normal hearing. Also, adults with hearing loss develop a signifiant impairment in their cognitive abilities 3.2 years sooner than those with normal hearing. It’s believed that untreated, degraded hearing may force the brain to devote too much of its energy/resources to processing sound.
Dementia and Hearing Loss: Seniors with hearing loss are signifiantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing or treat their hearing loss. It appears that this effect increases as the amount of hearing loss increases.
Falling and Hearing Loss: People with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falling. Each additional increase of hearing loss by 10 decibels increases the chance of falling by 1.4 times the original risk.
Mental Health and Hearing Loss: Hearing loss results in social isolation. Adults with untreated hearing loss tend to withdraw from engaging with family and friends. They are also likely to report depression, anxiety, anger and frustration. The degree of depression or other emotional or mental health issues also increases with the severity of the hearing loss.
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss: Tinnitus or “ringing in the ear” affects up to 50 million Americans. Ninety percent of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. The most common causes of tinnitus are: noise exposure, aging, head injury and medication side effects.
Income and Hearing Loss: Statistics show that people with untreated hearing loss lose up to $30,000 annually. Adults with hearing loss, who wear hearing aids, have a lower unemployment rate than those who don’t.
So, hearing loss can a your life in many ways. You may miss out on talks with friends and family. Sometimes hearing problems can make you feel embarrassed, upset and lonely. It’s easy to withdraw when you can’t follow a conversation. It’s also easy for friends and family to think you are confused, uncaring or difficult when the problem may be that you just can’t hear well.
We often get asked in our officby friends and family, especially when fitting a new patient with hearing aids, how to best communicate with them. So, we thought we’d share some tips on how to communicate with a hearing impaired person
• Face the person and talk clearly (not while walking away from the person or while looking in cabinets, refrigerators, etc.).
• Speak at a reasonable speed, often slowing down how you speak is more benefical than raising your voice.
• Do not hide your mouth (so much speech information comes from non-verbal cues and facial expressions) or talk while eating or chewing gum.
• Stand in good lighting.
• Reduce background noises.
• Use facial expressions or gestures to give useful cues.
• Repeat yourself if necessary, using different words.
• Include the hearing-impaired person when talking. Talk with the person, not about the person when you are with others. Ths helps keep the person with hearing loss from feeling alone and excluded.
• Be patient; stay positive and relaxed.
• Ask how you can help!
Also important, here are some tips of what the hearing impaired person can do to improve their communication with hearing aids:
• Let people know that you have difficulty hearing.
• Ask people to face you and to speak slowly and clearly. Ask them to speak without shouting, which can just distort the speech signal.
• Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures.
• Let the person talking know if you do not understand.
• Ask people to reword a sentence and try again.
• Turn off ny unnecessary, extraneous noises (such as the radio while in a car, a TV at home, etc.).
• Wear your hearing aids consistently!
