World Alzheimer’s Month
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as stigma and associated challenges. Alzheimer’s disease is the common type of dementia.²
The Lancet Commission has identified 14 modifiable risk factors that may prevent or delay nearly 50% of all cases of dementia.³ Risk factors are lifestyle, environment, and genetic factors that make you more likely to develop a disease, such as dementia.¹ Individual risk factors do not cause dementia, but may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Evidence is stronger than ever that addressing risk factors reduces the risk of developing dementia. Hearing loss is one of the leading potentially modifiable risk factors according to the Lancet. The evidence supporting hearing aid use reduces the risk of dementia is consistently supportive.³ Even mild hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.¹ Although it is not clear how this happens, research shows hearing loss can result in social isolation, loss of independence, and difficulties communicating with everyone around us.¹
Recommendations to reduce hearing loss as a risk factor include:
- Annual hearing assessments to check our hearing and make sure there are no changes. Avoid listening to loud music and continuous loud sound.¹
- Ask your doctor to check and remove earwax buildup.
- If you have an assistive listening device or hearing aids, make sure you use them regularly and annually check their fit and function with your audiologist.
Alzheimer Society of Canada: Dementia Risk Factors
https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Risk-factors_Alzheimer-Society-Canada.pdf
The Lancet Commission 2024 Update
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract
References
- Alzheimer Society Canada. (2023). Risk factors. https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Risk-factors_Alzheimer-Society-Canada.pdf
- Alzheimer Society of Canada. (2024). What is Alzheimer’s disease? https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/What-is-Alzheimers-Disease-Alzheimer-Society-2024-MOBILE.pdf
- Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., Ames, D., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Brayne, C., Fox, N. C., Ferri, C. P., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Nakasujja, N., Rockwood, K., … Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of The Lancet Standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01296-0
WHAT DOES AN AUDIOLOGIST DO?
AUDIOLOGISTS are regulated health care professionals who test hearing and check the ears of individuals of all ages. Audiologists can help with hearing difficulties, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), or balance difficulties. The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) sets practice standards for audiologists and ensure audiologists are providing evidence-based and ethical services in the best interests of the public.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM AN AUDIOLOGIST?
Appointments for a hearing test at Baycrest Hearing Services are scheduled for 1 hour. Hearing tests at Baycrest Hearing Services are covered by OHIP, please see our physician referral form here.
During your appointment you can expect an audiologist to:
- Ask questions about your hearing, balance, lifestyle, and health history.
- Explain how they will test your hearing so that you understand all the steps.
- Look in your ears to make sure your ear canals are clear.
- Do the testing to find out how well you hear and understand sounds including speech.
- Discuss the results, options and next steps with you after you’ve had your hearing tested.
- Provide information and support to help you decide how best to approach any identified issues.
WHAT STANDARDS MUST AN AUDIOLOGIST FOLLOW?
- Get consent to test your hearing and collect, use, keep and share personal health information.
- Maintain security and confidentiality of your personal health information.
- Have properly functioning equipment to test your hearing.
- Make sure equipment is cleaned and disinfected.
- Monitor your needs and adapt the testing to provide accurate and complete results.
- Keep up to date with technology changes and approaches through continuing education.
- Provide you with information and support as you need.
The audiologists at Baycrest Hearing Services encourage you to bring a family member or friend for your appointment!
References
American Academy of Audiology. (2024, April 9). May is better hearing month. https://www.audiology.org/practice-resources/public-awareness/may-is-better-hearing-month/
The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). (n.d.). For patients: What to Expect When an Audiologist Tests Your Hearing. CASLPO. https://caslpo.com/sites/default/uploads/files/PUB_EN_For_Patients_Audiological_Assessment_Standard.pdf
January 23, 2024
Older Adults and Hearing Loss: Why Management is Key to Healthy Ageing
Speaker: Marilyn Reed – Professional Practice Leader for Audiology, Baycrest Hearing Services
View Presentation
Click Here to learn more
Our ability to hear and communicate effectively is something we often take for granted, but for those who have difficulty hearing, everyday interactions can pose significant challenges.
Baycrest was featured on CBC News: The National for its expertise on July 18, 2023, in a report about a recent study on how hearing aids can reduce dementia risk for some older adults. Marilyn Reed, Baycrest Audiologist and Dr. Bjorn Herrmann, Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute (RRI) appeared in the segment. The report also included Baycrest clients and residents who shared their experiences with hearing aids and how they have improved their quality of life. Watch the video segment here and read a written report here. If you are interested in learning more about your own hearing health and how it may affect your brain health, you can book an appointment with an audiologist.
Read about the new FDA Ruling on Over-The-Counter (OTC) hearing devices in the News section of our website.
Hearing and communicating are vital components of our daily lives, helping us to shop and bank, visit the doctor, socialize with friends and family, and live independently and safely.
That’s why it’s so important to have your hearing tested and to get the right advice if you have hearing loss.
At Baycrest Hearing Services, our experienced audiologists work with adults of all ages to assess their hearing ability and offer individualized solutions for hearing loss. We also have a clinical focus in treating clients with age-related hearing loss, which affects about two-thirds of older adults.
Our team is here to provide the best strategies to optimize your ability to hear and help you stay healthy and connected.
As a global leader in healthcare research and innovation, all client care at Baycrest is based on current best practice procedures and integrates findings from the latest research. The Audiologists are involved in clinical research projects highly relevant to current health care concerns, including:
- studying the relationship between hearing and cognition and the development of next and best Audiology practices for clients with both hearing and cognitive loss.
- developing new community-based service delivery models for seniors who have difficulty accessing existing services.
Download the AST Speaker Series Talk – Mind your hearing: The link between our ears, brain and dementia here.
For more information please email Hearing@baycrest.org OR call 416-785- 2476
Physicians: Please send referral to Hearing@baycrest.org or fax to 416-785-4213