Volume 123
August 3, 2022
  • Consumer Decisions
  • Performance Expectations
  • Eyes & Ears
  • Common Progression
  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Interdisciplinary Care Teams

Before delving into the medical model, let's gain perspective from consumers who, contending with mass media advertising, normally analyze decisions about which products to purchase and why. Given perceived needs or wants, decision-making criteria might include:

• Overall functionality • Features and benefits • Known costs

For instance, essential cars and computers are expected to run properly without nuisance or complications. In contrast, when, at just the wrong times, cars don’t start or computer glitches arise, angst arises and the not broke, don’t fix it mantra quickly turns troublesome.
When frequently used consumer products are not functioning reliably or broken, problem-solving mindsets pivot to fixing. Shall we call AAA for a jump start or tech support? The point is, beyond normal wear and tear, if performance expectations are unmet, reactions are prompt.

“Without inspiration,
we’re all like a box of matches that will never be lit.”
— David Archuleta
By analogy, aging healthcare consumers should make well-informed decisions with respect to optimal quality of life goals. In the context of functionality and benefits, Sensibly, with…

Eyes, they aim to see best, often described as 20/20 vision. When aging leads to a cloudy lens, blurred vision may indicate mild visual impairment. To prevent further loss of sight, cataract surgery is a common and highly effective surgical procedure. The cloudy lens is removed, a clear one with personalized prescription implanted and beyond initial healing process, better sight is in store.

Ears, they aim to hear best, every waking moment. When presbycusis, mildly impaired hearing that gradually occurs with aging is evident, auditory stimulus may become less clear, causing challenges with daily communication, especially in noisy listening situations. With personalized prescriptions and expert fitting, advanced hearing aids can prevent further hearing loss, empowering patients to experience precious sounds for ages.

Subject matter experts explain that while Ears Collect auditory stimulus, Brains Connect with the tiny cochlea, processing sound waves into electrical impulses our auditory nerve transmits for the brain to interpret as recognizable sounds. Hearing acuity is systematically influenced by Cognitive Abilities including skills related to perception, learning, memory, understanding, awareness, reasoning, judgment, intuition, and language.
Do they know what…
... they have 86 billion of? 
Neurons
... neurons are? 
Information messengers within brain and nervous system
... synapses are? 
Trillions of connection points where brain activity occurs
... eyes and ear sensory organs must share? 
Brain processing resources
Aging brains change and as related to mild visual or hearing impairments, Mild Cognitive Impairment or MCI, may be indicated by gradually increasing difficulty with:

  • Remembering names, words or appointments
  • Losing train of thought in conversations
  • Decision making or task completion
  • Wayfinding in familiar surroundings
  • Feelings of anxiety, irritability and frustration
While overall cognitive function may be considered ordinary, family and friends may notice signs and symptoms requiring careful evaluation. Timely responses are crucial, as MCI is frequently a phase between reduced cognitive function normally expected with aging and precursor of more extensive dementia-related symptoms.
With Cognitive Decline’s individual unpredictability, healthcare consumers should understand what…
... auditory deprivation is
lack of consistent sound stimuli and risk of nerve atrophy
... cognitive load is
the limited amount of information short-term memory can hold at one time
... is vital about brain connections’ quantity and quality
help improve cognitive function
... neuroplasticity is
the brain’s ability to form and reorganize neural resources
Brains deprived of consistent sound stimuli risk auditory nerve atrophy and like daily exercise, optimum hearing acuity triggers healthy connections.

Considering ears and brain a Dynamic Duo, Multidisciplinary Care Teams stay intently focused on change for the better. Essential clinicians should potentially include:

From a Differential Diagnosis perspective, in a properly sequenced manner, selected medical aspects will be either ruled out or identified. Led by patient-centric goals and their respective clinical expertise, optimal treatment plans can be determined, conveyed and integrated.

Next week will feature educational content that hearing care professionals provide to facilitate this multidisciplinary process. Your Leadership Matters!
Bruce Essman
CEO
High Definition Impressions (HDI)



314.276.7392

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