|
|
- High Performance
- Human Body Systems
- The Nervous System
- Anatomical Reference
- Explanatory Theories
- 153 Million
|
|
High Performance can describe many things. From jet pilots to Indy 500 drivers or your favorite athlete to musical superstars and thriving organizations, there is an aspirational connotation related to functioning at peak capacity. As an inspiring illustration, being able to see “Craggy Cliffs” 7600 light years away reflects the James Webb, a high performance telescope. Talk about enlightening perspective… |
|
© Webb Space Telescope, NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
|
|
Personally, seeking High(er) Performance implies motivational goals, healthy choices and daily action steps. On a physical level, consider vital human body systems including: |
|
• Cardiovascular
• Digestive
|
|
|
Specifically regarding…
Cardiovascular performance, are disciplined exercise routines the norm?
Muscular performance, how many reps and sets have been exercised?
Respiratory performance, how is step count tracking and is the trend your friend?
|
|
In the sensory realm, our Nervous System collects, transfers and processes neural stimulus which impacts other organ systems via the brain, nerves, spinal cord and sensory organs – tongue, nose, skin, eyes and ears. For best vision, eyecare experts are the ones to see and to experience the healthy benefits of optimal hearing, auditory experts perform essential roles.
Journeying through life, from younger years to golden ones, our systemic abilities develop, evolve and structurally change. Exhibit A is brain or cognitive function, a fascinating subject of intense interest. By way of computer analogy, our Central Processing Unit (CPU).
Cognitive Function relates to integral mental skills such as perception, memory, language, learning, problem solving and abstract thinking. Certainly, Peak Performance with cognitive function is a worthy goal and for hearing care professionals being subject matter experts on Ears Collect, Brains Connect™... a public health imperative.
For reference:
|
|
With these goals in mind, Cognitive Hearing Science is an emerging field of interdisciplinary research focused on the complex interplay between auditory processing, brain function and of epidemic proportions, dementia. With crucial research accelerating, among the explanatory theories to be familiar with and raise awareness of are — |
|
Common Cause
This hypothesis proposes there may be genetically driven or age-related vascular changes in our nervous system whereby hearing loss and cognitive decline (auditory and executive dysfunction) share neurodegenerative mechanisms. In this case of nerve cells losing function and dying, hearing loss could be a pre-clinical and early indicator of dementia.
Think mutual.
|
|
Sensory Deprivation
Growing evidence substantiates that prolonged lack of auditory input from untreated hearing loss negatively effects neural networks involved in certain cognitive abilities, triggering physical changes in cerebral structure. As highly respected research states:
“Due to auditory deprivation from ARHL, neural deafferentation, cortical reallocation for support of other processes, and atrophy in brain regions important for speech perception processing may occur. The resultant reorganization may add to existing brain pathology (e.g., amyloid burden, neuronal loss) at the detriment of general cognitive performance by altering critical brain regions which could otherwise be utilized for higher-level cognitive processing.” 1
Think structural.
|
|
Cognitive Load
In this model, when hearing loss causes difficulty with auditory perceptions, the increased cognitive resources dedicated to compensating for this sensory deficit accrue to the detriment of other cerebral processes such as working memory and executive function.
Think functional diversion.
|
|
Cascade Hypothesis
Another potential pathway in considering how one thing leads to another, are sequential patterns in which extended lack of auditory stimulus may compromise cognitive abilities via lower quality inputs or detrimental cycles related to social isolation and depression. In this scenario, those living alone, with minimal interpersonal communication may have increased risk of reduced mental capacity and dementia.
Think loneliness.
|
|
1 Powell Danielle S., Oh Esther S., Reed Nicholas S., Lin Frank R., Deal Jennifer A.; Hearing Loss and Cognition: What We Know and Where We Need to Go; Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, V. 13 2022, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.769405
|
|
With rapidly aging populations and global dementia cases projected to reach approximately 153 million in 2050, longitudinal research on these theories and others will present valuable insights for decades. As they do, by paying attention, societally and professionally, we will better understand the intertwined nature of hearing and brain functions.
Inevitably, we will continue discovering, it’s never too early to recognize how sound advice may improving cognitive fitness.
Next week’s issue features perspectives on care teams and nuanced relationship between Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Be there.
|
|
Bruce Essman
CEO
High Definition Impressions (HDI)
314.276.7392
|
|
View Previous Issue by Clicking on Link Below:
|
|
©HIGH DEFINITION IMPRESSIONS (HDI) 2004-2022
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WARNING: Intellectual property contained in this email including HealthScapes® is the exclusive property of High Definition Impressions (HDI) and intended solely for viewing purposes.This intellectual property cannot be reproduced in any way without the expressed written consent of HDI. Any disclosure, copying, use, or distribution of the information or designs included on this website is strictly prohibited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
