Hearing Care Professionals

From the chronicles

Why hearing screening is important in children

In Canada and the U.S., the newborn hearing screening process has screened almost all births each year. So why do children need a hearing screening? After reviewing the medical records of 326 children who had hearing loss, a study found that not all children with hearing loss were detected by newborn hearing screening. First, not […]

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Let’s not focus solely on hearing aids in reducing dementia risk

It is important not to focus solely on hearing loss or hearing aids because dementia risk may be attributable to many other health factors that intersect with hearing loss and communication. There is still no evidence based on randomized, controlled trial (RCT) studies that treating hearing loss reduces the risk of dementia. ACHIEVE is the […]

Why walking through doorways makes you forget

It’s a common experience—entering a room, only to realize you’ve forgotten what you went there to do. It’s been documented in research studies, too. Memory is worse after passing through a doorway than after walking the same distance within a single room. Did you know that the “doorway effect” is actually a good strategy to optimize memory? […]

Do hearing aids prevent dementia?

The short answer is that there is no evidence. The ACHIEVE trial results published in 2023 provide evidence that comprehensive aural rehab, with hearing aid use, effectively improves communication outcomes. However, there was no significant overall effect of aural rehab on the rate of cognitive decline. A reduction in the rate of cognitive decline was […]

Addressing cognitive dissonance is a huge part of an audiologist’s job! Part 2

Cognitive dissonance happens when you hold two conflicting thoughts in your mind simultaneously–like denying hearing loss while still being aware of communication difficulties. Canadian Audiologist published an article by Bill Hodgetts, PhD, called “Psychological Dimensions of Hearing Healthcare: Audiology is More Than Just Diagnoses and Devices” in Canadian Audiologist (Vol 11, Issue 3, 2024). I […]

Attention educational audiologists and teachers: how-to videos for remote microphone technology now available!

I’ve created six how-to videos about remote microphone technology from an educational audiologist’s standpoint. To my surprise, I had fun while doing them. Pearce Socials, my social media manager, suggested ways to transition to different “scenes” in the videos and encouraged me to be myself. I hope they will be helpful to teachers this coming […]

Addressing cognitive dissonance is a huge part of an audiologist’s job! Part 1

Cognitive dissonance is a state of having conflicting feelings or beliefs. In an article called “The Psychological Dimensions of Hearing Healthcare: Audiology is More Than Just Diagnoses and Devices” in Canadian Audiologist, by Bill Hodgetts, PhD, (Vol 11, Issue 3, 2024), he said, “Resolving a patient’s cognitive dissonance is a huge part of our job.” […]

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As an audiologist, something I will never do…

Something I will never do is stop learning about my profession. After 30 years, I am still learning. What’s something you will never do, in your profession?

How can people with hearing loss reach their full potential?

How can PWHL (people with hearing loss) reach their full potential? Many PWHL wait years to get hearing aids. Over this period of years, a person adjusts to hearing loss. Many adjustments are made without explicitly discussing them with friends, family members, and co-workers. Examples include withdrawing, watching TV in different rooms, bluffing our way […]

When will hearing loss rehabilitation be a bigger discussion?

I’m just sitting here waiting for hearing loss rehabilitation to be a bigger discussion. There is a tendency in hearing care to focus on hearing aids. Aural rehabilitation is seen as something done by other professionals or not at all. With hearing aids, immediate outcomes can vary from person to person. Many adults with acquired […]