LISTENUP Autumn 2017
News From North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab
The Hidden Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss Page 3
Direct-to-iPhone Connectivity Page 5
Grove Medical Center 4160 Robert Parker Coffin Road Suite 103 Long Grove, IL 60047
North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab 1160 Park Avenue West Suite 4S Highland Park , IL 60035
(847) 432-5555 | NSAVL.com
What NSAVL Patients Had to Say My experience with North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab changed my life! I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t realize how much I was not hearing. Finding out what I was missing when I was fitted with hearing aids was an overwhelming but wonderful feeling. I wanted to hear my grandchildren, to enter in on conversation, but was unable to because I could not hear everything that was being said. My kids were telling me all the time that I was not hearing. It just reminded me of 25 years before saying the same thing to my Mom who is now 95 years old! The everyday sounds I thought I was hearing just blew me away. Street sounds, wind, water running in the sink, microwave, furnace turning on and people’s voices. Tracy’s words were ringing in my ear. “You have to re-train your brain to hear.” How true! Having an Audiologist that listens to your needs and programs your hearing aids to help you hear better and with more clarity is the most important factor! Now I feel a part of things that I haven’t been for a long time. -JN, age 70
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What’s New at NSAVL Check out the WELL section of the August 16th Chicago Sun Times for a feature article about hearing loss and noise exposure including an interview with Dr. Pessis. Read the article now. In July, Dr. Pessis chaired an Audiology specialty conference. He and Dr. Murphy gave a lecture to their peers on how to implement best professional practices for maximizing quality healthcare. Are you one of the 50 million Americans who experience tinnitus? Dr. Meltzer recently spoke at a local tinnitus support group about current tinnitus treatments. Topics included hearing aid technology that incorporates tinnitus management features, cell phone and tablet applications that can be helpful for managing tinnitus, as well as newly available FDA-approved tinnitus devices. Drs. Milling and Beegle were recently in Kankakee County for a Back to School Fair where they were part of a team that conducted several hundred free hearing screenings! The event — sponsored by the Chicago Bears Care Program and EarQ — assists students from low-income households, provides free access to health services, and delivers school supplies and other resources to help children prepare for the new school year.
The Hidden Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss Did you know that untreated hearing loss can have far-reaching consequences on your overall wellbeing and mental health? In fact, untreated hearing loss can lead to depression, anxiety, decreased social engagement, and, most importantly, untreated hearing loss has been correlated to an earlier onset of reduced cognitive function. A recent study completed by Dr. Frank Lin, otolaryngologist and epidemiologist, at Johns Hopkins University and National Institutes of Health has uncovered a link between untreated hearing loss and increased risk for dementia. The study found that patients with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss, respectively, are 2, 3, and 5 times more likely to develop dementia compared to their normal hearing counterparts (see Figure A).
Adults with untreated hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia
65% of people with hearing loss are younger than 65 6 million people in the U.S. between 18 - 44 suffer from hearing loss — Better Hearing Institute Website
Untreated hearing loss has been linked to accelerated rates of whole brain atrophy, especially regions of the brain responsible for language processing, memory, and sensory integration. Due to the significant consequences that can occur with untreated hearing loss, it is important to get your hearing tested at the first signs of hearing loss. Symptoms of hearing loss include:
Severe Loss
Asking for repetition Difficulty following conversations involving more than 2 individuals
Moderate Loss
Feeling as if others are mumbling Difficulty hearing in noise
Mild Loss 2x 3x times more likely
5x
Figure A
Researchers have several theories behind the effects of untreated hearing loss, including: Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation in older adults, and research has found a link between poor social networks and increased risk for dementia. When a hearing loss is present, the brain has to allocate additional effort to understand conversations which can increase cognitive load and this may interfere with normal brain function.
Trouble hearing women and children Presence of ringing or noise in the ears History of noise exposure Taking medications that can harm the hearing system (ototoxic) Family history of hearing loss Feelings of embarrassment from misunderstanding what others are saying Withdrawal from social situations you once enjoyed because of difficulty hearing Over the age of 50, we recommend having your hearing tested once a year. Call (847) 432-5555 to schedule your appointment today. ( 8 47 ) 4 3 2 - 5 5 5 5
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Audiologist Profile Dr. Paul Pessis, Doctor of Audiology Dr. Pessis is the owner and founder of North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab. He has been practicing audiology for more than 40 years. He lectures nationwide and is an instructor for doctoral audiology students at Rush and Northwestern Universities. He is active at both the national and state levels and is a past president of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), a 12,000-member national organization. He also is an Audiology representative for the American Medical Association (AMA) for reviewing valuation of procedural codes. He has twice been honored with the AAA Distinguished Presidential Award for his contributions to the profession of Audiology and for addressing the needs of patients with hearing and balance disorders. He has also received the Honors of the Association and the Illinois Presidential Award by the Illinois Academy of
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Audiology which further acknowledges his dedication to the field of Audiology. Another honor granted to Dr. Pessis was being selected as the sole audiologist representative appointed to the Hearing Instrument Manufacturer’s Software Association (HIMSA) Board, an international board that is comprised of the 6 hearing aid company leaders. His reputation with his peers, colleagues, and patients has afforded him the privilege of being elected or appointed to numerous professional and association boards. Dr. Pessis enjoys the challenges of “everyday audiology” at North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab (NSAVL). He and the staff of audiologists are dedicated to offering patients state-of-the-art care. His relationship with hearing aid manufacturers throughout the world allows NSAVL to be “on the cutting edge” and frequently results in them being a beta site for technology not yet formally released to other audiology facilities. Patient loyalty is a testament to his long standing dedication, skills, and unique ability to relate to the individual needs of his patients.
LISTEN to the Latest Hearing Aid Technology in the Real World NSAVL is looking for current hearing aid wearers to participate in a FOCUS GROUP to evaluate the newest hearing aid technology. Hearing aid manufacturers have spent countless hours developing advanced technology to help hearing aid wearers understand conversations in restaurants, parties and family gatherings. NSAVL, in conjunction with Widex USA, one of the most respected hearing aid manufacturers, invites current hearing aid wearers to enjoy lunch while wearing the most advanced hearing aid technology — Widex BEYOND. Contact our office at (847) 432-5555 if you are interested in participating. Attendance is limited and specific qualifications are needed. When: Monday, October 16, 2017 from 11:30am — 1:30 pm
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Direct-to-iPhone Connectivity Hearing aid technology is more robust and dynamic than ever before. In fact, the newest technological advances include direct-to-iPhone® connectivity, which allows the hearing aid wearer to wirelessly stream phone calls, music, and audio directly from their iPhone into the hearing aids. Direct-to-iPhone Bluetooth connectivity is especially useful in providing speech comprehension and sound clarity when talking on a cell phone since the amplification of the hearing aids is being utilized. Additionally, direct-to-iPhone hearing aids can be used with an associated smartphone app that allows for volume adjustments, minor sound quality changes such as bass and treble, and even a ‘Find My Hearing Aids’ function.
Hearing Healthcare at Your Fingertips?
There’s an App for That! In today's technological world, apps are here to stay. They are a great resource to use as part of your hearing health care plan as long as you understand that apps are tools and not meant to replace the professional knowledge and experience of an audiologist. NorthShore Audio Vestibular recommends these useful apps: Widex ZEN, Tinnitus Management App Download the tinnitus mobile app to experience soothing sounds to mininimize the annoying ringing/ buzzing of your tinnitus.
We have found this technology to be applicable across many different lifestyles; from participating in work phone calls to keeping up with the grandchildren, or streaming music while exercising, it is proving to be a game changer for quality of life improvement. Some hearing aid technology — such as the BEYOND hearing instruments from Widex — also have apps made for AndroidTM phones.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Sound Level Meter App The NIOSH Sound Level Meter mobile app is a tool to measure sound levels in the workplace and provide noise exposure parameters to help reduce occupational noiseinduced hearing loss.
Call NSAVL at (847) 432-5555 to schedule a free demonstration of direct-to-iPhone technology today.
Apple, the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
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