May 6, 2025 • 39 mins
The connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline represents one of the most crucial health discoveries of our time—yet it remains surprisingly under-discussed in mainstream wellness conversations. Madison Levine, BC-HIS, founder of Levine Hearing and second-generation hearing care professional, joins us to explain why this matters and how hearing professionals are changing their approach to patient education.
A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Otolaryngology found that 32% of dementia cases could be attributed to audiometric hearing loss, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness. While many pursue various health interventions to extend their "healthspan," few recognize hearing treatment as a major modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. Madison shares how education-based outreach has proven more effective than traditional marketing in bringing patients through the door, focusing on providing valuable information without immediately asking for anything in return.
The conversation explores innovative approaches to patient education, including the implementation of cognitive screening tools like Cognivue that allow practitioners to track cognitive improvements in patients who pursue hearing treatment. Madison emphasizes the importance of targeting education not just at those with hearing loss, but at family members who often notice the signs first—like missing punchlines or asking "what" too frequently.
Looking forward, Madison reveals her upcoming TEDx talk on "The Ear-Brain Connection" and her vision for a nationwide campaign uniting hearing professionals around consistent messaging. By shifting the conversation from hearing devices to brain health and approaching patients with genuine education rather than sales tactics, hearing healthcare can finally take its rightful place in preventative health discussions. Whether you're experiencing hearing difficulties or concerned about a loved one, this episode offers valuable insights into protecting cognitive health through better hearing care.
Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast Team
Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HI (00:00):
We are seeing a ton of research
come out that's showing thathearing care has a direct
connection to our cognitivehealth and of anything we want
to keep our minds as we getolder.
So I think we're taking alittle bit of a different
approach.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (00:14):
I learned a long time ago that
marketing and PR are two verydifferent things you're tuned in
to the hearing matters podcast,the show that discusses hearing
technology, best practices anda global epidemic hearing loss.
(00:35):
Before we kick this episode off, a special thank you to our
partners cycle built for theentire hearing care practice.
Redux the best dryer hands down.
Caption call by Sorenson.
Life is calling CareCredit heretoday to help more people hear
tomorrow.
Faderplugs the world's firstcustom adjustable earplug.
(01:00):
Welcome back to another episodeof the Hearing Matters Podcast.
I'm founder and host, blaiseDelfino, and, as a friendly
reminder, this podcast isseparate from my work at Starkey
.
You're tuned in to the HearingMatters Podcast, the show that
discusses hearing technology,best practices and a global
(01:22):
epidemic hearing loss.
I'm your host, blaise Delfino,and joining me today is Madison
Levine from Levine Hearing.
Madison Levine is aboard-certified hearing
instrument specialist and she isthe founder of Levine Hearing.
She is a second generationprofessional in hearing
healthcare and she remembersspending afternoons as a child
(01:47):
in the back office of hermother's practice watching the
impact that better hearing hadon the lives of her patients and
their families.
She has a Bachelor of Sciencedegree from the University of
Georgia, which happens to be herparents' and brother's alma
mater as well, which happens tobe her parents' and brother's
alma mater as well.
After managing two successfulpractice locations outside of
(02:09):
Charlotte, she made the decisionto come back closer to home to
provide her services.
Levine Hearing in SouthCharlotte is an independent
practice.
She is nationally boardcertified in hearing instrument
sciences, which is an electivecertification.
That demonstrates herdedication to go above the
requirements of the state ofNorth Carolina which I know
(02:33):
North Carolina is verychallenging to get certified in
and it allows her to provide thebest care to her patients.
She is an active advocate forseniors in numerous groups in
South Charlotte.
She sits on the board of theLevine Senior Center and
dedicates extra time providinghearing loss and hearing aid
(02:53):
dedication in many local eldercare facilities.
Madison, that was a mouthful.
It is so great to have you onthe Hearing Matters podcast.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (03:04):
Thank you for having me.
That was a lot.
That was a beautifulintroduction.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (03:09):
Madison, I am so excited for a lot of
reasons.
Number one you and I are bothsecond generation hearing
healthcare professionals.
I think that's pretty darn cool, and I remember tuning in to a
podcast episode you had recorded.
I believe it was in 2020 or2021.
Anyways, we might have been inthe height of the pandemic.
(03:32):
Nonetheless, I've beenfollowing you now for a couple
of years On behalf of thehearing healthcare industry.
Thank you for all that you doand all that Levine Hearing does
, and today we're going to bediving into and talking about
cognition and hearing loss.
And we're going to start withthe first section, talking about
(03:53):
raising awareness, because,madison, you know more than I do
in terms of the importance ofraising awareness when you do
own and run a private practice.
So let's dive right in.
How does Levine Hearing raiseawareness about the link between
untreated hearing loss andcognitive decline?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (04:16):
I think this is one of the most
important topics of our time,especially as people are looking
at ways to live healthier lives.
It's almost trending right Tofigure out how to improve your
health span, not just yourlifespan.
So we're already living longer,but are we living well?
And so you see a lot ofresearch on cold plunging, on
(04:42):
all kinds of supplements, on youknow, let's get red number 40
out of our foods all thesethings.
But people are not talkingabout hearing care and we are
seeing a ton of research comeout that showing that hearing
care has a direct connection toour cognitive health and of
anything we want to keep ourminds as we get older.
(05:02):
So I think we're taking alittle bit of a different
approach.
I learned a long time ago thatmarketing and PR are two very
different things, and I wouldsay that the PR side is what
I've tried to really focus on interms of patient education.
I'm not asking patients todirectly respond to an ad or
(05:24):
something.
I'm putting education out there.
So, whether it's going intocommunity centers and just doing
free talks, presentations, I'mon radio and television and
that's getting our you know myface out there to educate, not
asking them for anything inreturn, just sharing free
information.
I think that's why it hasreally taken a grip in Charlotte
(05:47):
.
It's the number one thing thatpeople say when they come in is
that they heard something that Ishared with them on the
research between cognition andhearing loss.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (05:56):
To me it's that law of reciprocity
where you're giving yourcommunity the tools that they
need to make that educateddecision because you're not
asking them to.
You know, go click a link or doanything of that nature.
And it is May, Madison, it isMay 6th as this episode releases
, and it's Better Hearing andSpeech Month.
(06:17):
You celebrate, and I think allof us celebrate Better Hearing
and Speech Month every singlemonth.
It's just what we do.
It's in our DNA, but to yourpoint, it's healthspan.
We are living longer.
And on April 17th there was anew study that was released, and
(06:37):
the title of the study isPopulation Attributable Fraction
of Incident Dementia Associatedwith Hearing Loss Published
attributable fraction ofincident dementia associated
with hearing loss published inthe JAMA otolaryngology, head
and neck.
Now the question was whatfraction of incident dementia is
attributable to hearing loss ina community-based population of
(06:58):
older adults, and the findingswere that in this prospective
cohort study of 2,900participants, 32% of eight-year
incident dementia could beattributable to audiometric
hearing loss.
What does that tell you and howdoes this align with the
education that you're sharingwith your community?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (07:21):
What a landmark study Isn't that
incredible?
With your community.
What a landmark study Isn'tthat incredible?
What I found most interestingabout the study was that this
wasn't based on self-reportedhearing loss, so people may not
even realize themselves thatthey have a loss.
It was based on audiometrictesting, like the data shows
that they have a loss andthey're at increased risk.
So one of the things that I dowith my education is I focus.
(07:45):
The person I'm speaking to isnot necessarily the person with
hearing loss, because half ofthem don't even know that's them
that.
I'm talking to.
So I talk directly to thefamily, to the friends, the
children and grandchildren.
So a lot of what I put out onradio, on television, all of
that I'm not saying do you havea problem with this, Do you have
(08:08):
a problem with that?
I'm saying do you know somebodywho seems to be missing the
punchline of the joke, Askingwhat too often.
So this study really justvalidates that direction of
talking to the people who knowthe person who has the loss,
because they're the ones who aregoing to recognize it and
advocate, hopefully, for them togo get checked.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (08:29):
And and your strategy of integrating the
third party or the familymembers, because you cannot see
the picture when you're in theframe and we've both worked
together with patients.
We both fit patients withhearing technology and how long
it takes that patient Madison tocome into the clinic an average
of seven to 10 years toactually take that step towards
(08:52):
better hearing.
So I love the strategy of youeducating your patients and
what's so important about thisis too often, and I think in the
earlier years within ourindustry some clinics may have
been poking at the fear factorof if you don't wear hearing
aids you're going to getdementia.
You're not saying that correct.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HI (09:14):
No , I think you have to quote the
research for what it is.
It's drawing strongcorrelations between things, and
this is how we start to drawconclusions.
You need multiple studies thatare showing you different angles
of the same problem.
But you and I, blaise, you'reright.
Us growing up in thisprofession and then getting to
(09:36):
actually work with patients, yousee it on the ground, you see
what's happening with people'scognition before and after they
get hearing aids, and so we sitwith such curiosity to see what
is the research going to show.
And when it does say it lookslike this is actually having a
huge impact, we go.
(09:57):
That's what I thought andthat's what you hope.
That research would be doing isto poke at things that are
suspicions and to see can weprove them?
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (10:06):
When, when we talk about educational
materials for patients, madison,because I remember there was
the image of the tree and thetree sort of had a I think it
had a face on it and the leaveswere sort of withering away.
So it was like a full tree,like a half tree and then the
tree with zero leaves.
And that was like a full tree,like a half tree and then the
tree with zero leaves.
And that was that visualrepresentation of untreated
(10:28):
hearing loss being linked tocognitive decline.
So at Levine Hearing again,it's Better Hearing and Speech
Month when a patient comes infor their initial audiological
evaluation.
This is a new patient.
What materials are you sendingthem home with that is,
educating them on thatconnection between hearing
(10:52):
health and cognitive function?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (10:54):
This is maybe helpful for practice
owners that they're probablydoing a lot of a lot of this
already, but maybe one of thesethings will stand out as a
little additional way to educate.
But I look at pre, during andpost education for the patient
journey.
So a lot of that content thatI'm putting out where I'm not
asking for anything in return,that's their pre-education.
(11:16):
So whether I do a little bit ofeverything, if I'm honest.
So whether it's radio,television, mailers talks,
oftentimes they're hearing thatmessage before they get to the
office.
Once they have arrived.
I have done a lot of video overthe years and I've got big
(11:38):
screen TV in my waiting room.
It feels like a living room.
It's got a nice sofa and, youknow, real lamps and all that.
And while they're waitinghopefully for a very short
amount of time, they are seeingfacts.
Studies come across the screenand are mixed with videos and
some are patient stories andsome are me educating.
(11:59):
Then, once they get back, youknow the way that we review
their results.
I mean, obviously I don't haveto say we're using best
practices, we're going in depthwith all types of speech testing
and speech and noise testing,but we're educating in the
appointment with our scriptingon possible health impacts and
we're referencing studies,conferencing studies.
(12:21):
If they leave and they haven'tmade a decision, then we've got
a whole follow-up drip ofinformation that's going out by
mail and by email to them,besides the fact that they will
end up getting invitations tofuture events to learn more.
So I feel like once they're inthe family, they're going to
have to tell me they don't wantto be in the family anymore
(12:42):
because I'm going to keepeducating them all along the way
.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (12:47):
And Madison, this has been your
North Star again, from followingyour journey for years.
You're a second generationhearing healthcare professional
and how amazing it is, you knowfor us and the profession but
both of us especially beingsecond generation hearing
healthcare professionals theevolution of technology, what
(13:09):
the conversation was 20 yearsago to what the conversation is
now.
You know, we don't necessarilyhear with our ears, we hear with
our brain and if our brain isnot getting the information that
it needs, well, then we'regoing to feel off.
I remember in graduate school Iwent for my master's in speech
language pathology.
So cognition, I love this stuff, for lack of a better term
(13:34):
because you eat, you're notnecessarily feeding your body,
you're feeding your brain, andthat just stuck with me because
I'm like huh, I never reallythought of it that way.
With our patients, when theyare out with family members in a
(13:55):
complex listening situation,restaurant meeting, that
information's coming to theirbrain and now they need to know
okay, how do I categorize this?
How do I separate those sounds?
I didn't quite get that.
So I love that Levine Hearingis taking that educational
approach, so that pre, duringand post, very similar to what
(14:18):
we did here, Madison with theHearing Matters podcast.
Before patients you know werecoming into the door, we always
sent them our episode of what toexpect at your initial
evaluation Because, yes,untreated hearing loss and
cognition there's a link.
But you're also dealing with ahuman here.
Do they have some anxiety aboutgoing to the doctor?
(14:39):
Do they have that white coatsyndrome?
So I love that when patientscall you, trust has been built.
They know your voice, you knowthey can put a face to a name.
I think it's absolutelyincredible.
That educational aspect and, toyour point, leading with the
research, it's not pseudoscience.
It's absolutely notpseudoscience.
(15:01):
So right now, with the cliniceducation, this is a question
I've really been wanting to askyou and I'm curious to know do
you incorporate any cognitivescreeners in clinic to assess
the cognitive health of yourpatients with hearing loss?
(15:21):
So for those tuned in the MOCAis one which is the Montreal
Cognitive Assessment.
This measures attention,language abstraction, delayed
recall and executive functioning.
Another one is the MINICOG.
Curious to know is LevineHearing implementing any of
these screeners?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HI (15:39):
We have used Cognivue.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (15:41):
Okay, great.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (15:42):
Tell me more about Cognivue, and how
has it worked for not only yourclinic but, most importantly,
your patients scripting when wewere introducing it, because
(16:05):
there is a certain segment ofthe population that they want to
take every test.
They want to find outeverything preventatively.
You know, give me all thisstuff.
And then there are some peoplewho might have some anxiety at
the doctor and if they aren'treally sure why they're taking
this test and it feels a littlechallenging and they they might
even feel like they aren't doingwell on it.
That can create a lot ofanxiety.
(16:26):
So the scripting very importantand optional.
People need to be able to optin or not.
What's most interesting isseeing what happens when they
take it again at six months or12 months down the road.
So I have not put the datatogether yet.
I would love to see whatsomeone else has done and I will
be aggregating data as we goalong but to really start to see
(16:48):
what's happening in theirCognivue scores when they do
move forward with hearing aids.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (16:54):
Yes.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - H (16:55):
And I'm sure you've seen some of
this.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (16:57):
So when we talk about this dual sensory
input, you know you have yourvision and you have your hearing
.
So, with Cognivue, of courseyou have your vision and you
have your hearing.
So with Cognivue, of courseyou're relying on vision.
Right To to go through the, thescreening.
How long does the screeningtake?
Madison, it's pretty short.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (17:16):
I mean, we would give them eight
minutes total.
I mean it takes less than fivefor them to actually take the
screener minutes total, I meanit takes less than five for them
to actually take the screener,so getting them sat down,
getting them started and out.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (17:35):
So, for hearing care professionals tuned
in, you're using Cognivue.
At what point do you actuallyintroduce this tool?
And the reason I ask thisquestion is because, coming from
private practice, you know,okay, I have these specific time
slots to help this specificpatient because they're coming
in for their first fitting andthen after that, mr Smith, is a
first follow-up.
So I got to make sure that Ihave my clean and check stuff
ready to go.
Now I know your clinic.
You have multiple rooms.
(17:56):
Is it this first appointment?
Do you let the patients knowthat you have it?
Kind of bring us through thatprocess, because even if it's
not the Cognivue that ourhearing care professionals and
our colleagues use, at leastthey'll know this is at the
point of the appointment.
Maybe I should be implementingthe screener.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (18:17):
I've heard many people have tried it
different ways.
Isn't it interesting that youwould hope that cognitive
screening would be done in aprimary care office, but they
don't have the time.
So I my understanding is thatcognitive view you know, made
some attempts at inroads thereand when you've got six minutes
with a patient you can't also doa screener.
(18:39):
So it makes sense thataudiology is the place where it
should be done, because we mayhave 60 to 90 minutes with a
patient and we do normally haveall that time allocated.
We use it with purpose, yes, butcan we spare some time to use
this, especially if it could bea helpful counseling tool?
So that first appointment isthe time where they can opt in.
(19:02):
So when they would approach thefront desk to be greeted to
check in, we have an opt-in form.
Would you like to opt into thistesting today?
If you would, then they can sitdown and take that test rather
than sitting down in the waitingroom.
So we have a space just off ofthe waiting room where it's set
up and they can sit down and useit where it's set up and they
can sit down and use it.
Madison Levine, BC-HI (19:22):
Wonderful .
And, madison, you know you kindof sparked an idea here.
So the abbreviated profile ofhearing aid benefit.
I love that outcome measure andI love the software based
version because when you fit apatient you know you can
actually show them on the bigscreen in the fitting room.
This is where you were and thisis where you are now.
So, pre-hearing aid and thenwith the hearing aid and
(19:46):
especially the BN category,background noise is always
improved for the most part.
It should be at least so.
With cognition, I believe thatwe have an opportunity as
hearing care professionals tostart to measure our patients'
(20:06):
improvement with Cognivue.
So maybe it looks likepre-fitting you do the AFAB, you
do the Cognivue and then you dothe AFAB again at, let's say,
one month and then you do itagain at six months.
So maybe some sort of in-clinicprotocol to then measure how
(20:27):
these patients have improved.
Have you had to again?
This is all part of cliniceducation.
Have you had to refer anypatients to a neurologist and
tell us what that process islike?
And tell us what that processis like.
(20:50):
That has to be difficult to do,especially with the family
members, so if you'recomfortable sharing that with us
, yeah Well, it's gone a coupleof different ways.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (20:55):
Like I said, some people don't
really want to know.
That's why we have been muchmore clear about the opt-in and
what you know specifically whatthey're taking.
But I feel that our maybeothers feel differently.
But we have used the primarycare as that central command
center.
(21:15):
So if we have findings where wethink that they need to go on
and see a neurologist, we'resending it directly back to the
primary care with thatinformation, so we're not
referring directly to neurology.
I think that could create someincredible inroads and
relationships, but it's not astep that we've taken yet.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (21:34):
Having the partnership with the PCP is
always a way in which number onehearing healthcare is
community-based.
So then you're havingconnection with that primary
care physician who's overseeingthe overall health and wellness
of this patient and it's ashared patient and then you're
also being able to share theaudiometric data, whether it's
(21:56):
through their journey withhearing technology or maybe even
they were attested not helped.
So I think that's wonderful,absolutely integrating the PCP.
So, madison, patient responsewhen a patient visits a hearing
healthcare professional, theycan be anxious.
Maybe they're first-time users.
(22:18):
They're absolutely goingthrough that grieving process
and accepting that they havehearing loss.
When you're educating yourpatients throughout, how have
your patients responded to theinformation you're sharing them
about the link between hearingloss and cognitive decline?
Are you met with resistance?
(22:38):
Do they have a lot of questions?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (22:42):
I have found that it has been one
of the largest motivators forpeople to move forward, to even
get to the office.
And it's not just me educatingwith you know my methods but
it's also you know we're gettinggood morning.
America is posting about it.
Cnn has had several really goodposts the last year or two
(23:05):
about the links, and so peopleare finding this education.
I'm not getting resistance.
I would say that almosteverybody has had someone in
their life who has been affectedby dementia or cognitive
decline and if you have everexperienced that, if you have
ever had a family member gothrough it, you don't want it to
(23:29):
happen to you or to anybodyelse you love.
So the fact that it'smotivating to people, I'm just
glad.
There is good motivationbecause we know all the health
impacts of untreated hearingloss.
We see all the studies.
It's why we're so passionateabout it.
Patients don't know all ofthose studies, but if this is
one thing that can help motivatethem, I'm just glad.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (23:52):
And again, you, as well as so many
others in our industry, areeducating their community in a
way that is not fear-based.
You're not scaring individualssaying if you don't get these
hearing aids, you're going toget dementia.
That's not what we're saying.
Our belief in totality as aprofession has always been
(24:13):
untreated hearing loss.
There is a link to cognitivedecline and what's interesting
is because my next question wasgoing to be about patient
behaviors and attitudes towardscognition and untreated hearing
loss and you answered it alreadythere.
But but I'm happy to hear thatpatients are at least accepting
(24:34):
because we do.
I feel like we live in a day andage where we are living longer,
but people want to live longerhealthier.
I mean, we all have.
I don't have my smartwatch onright now, but between you've
got yours, so we're all wearingsmartwatches and what you're
doing there is you're trackingyour steps, your sleep score,
(24:56):
your heart rate variability, andwhat you're doing with that
information is how can I remainhealthier?
The cognitive aspect is sure,you have your brain, which is a
structure, but cognitionincludes you know language.
What is language?
Language is a code in whichideas are shared and you have
attention.
Is your spouse displaying signsof reduced attention, are they
(25:22):
starting to socially isolatethemselves, and that's often one
of the first signs of hearingloss is they start to socially
isolate.
And you know, madison, thank youand your team for everything
you're doing.
I've worked with a lot ofpatients, as have you, and I've
worked with a few patients thatpresented with early onset
(25:45):
dementia and then progressivelyit worsened over time and that
really, when you fit a patient,you know 10 years ago and you're
having this conversation andthis exchange and down the line,
it's progressive, right, andthat would always that would
(26:06):
tear me apart.
I've had family members youknow, of course, that presented
with dementia and it's an awful,awful disease.
So what we're doing here ashearing care professionals, we
have the opportunity to advocateand and you being a listen
carefully, ambassador to raiseawareness.
You know advocacy, educationand news this is absolutely part
(26:27):
of that mission.
Blaise M. Delfino, M (26:29):
Absolutely .
And let me say you know thethings that correlate with
dementia.
It's not one thing, and we knowthat if we were to say if you
do this one thing, then it'llnever happen to you, we know
that that would be, that wouldbe crazy.
It's like a switchboard ofthings and we have to flip as
(26:50):
many switches as we can in orderto reduce our risk factors.
And so when treating a hearingloss meaning getting good input,
that's, clear input to ourbrain, being included in
conversations when we know thatthat is one of the largest
modifiable risk factors.
It's one of many things.
(27:12):
Yes, we should be walking thismany steps and we should eat a
healthy diet and keep our brainsworking.
And if you can't hear, you needto correct your hearing loss.
So it's just as important asthose other things.
And what bothers me is that,yes, we're getting a little
traction on a few national newsstations, but overall, I see
(27:35):
tons of stuff about this weekly.
All the things you can do tohelp prevent dementia and
hearing loss is on the list likeone out of a hundred times.
Treating it it's, even thoughit's one of the largest.
It's not interesting to you.
That it's.
You know, it depends on who'stalking about it.
If it's audiology, we put it atthe front, but others don't,
(27:57):
even though priority wise itshould be.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (28:00):
And I wonder if it's well.
I shouldn't say I wonder, Iwould have to speculate.
It's absolutely the stigmaassociated with hearing loss,
because when you think ofhearing loss, you think of the
big beige banana andunfortunately, media has
portrayed hearing aids as thesebig things and it's a disability
.
You know.
Hearing aids empower patientsto reconnect with their loved
(28:22):
ones.
Hearing aids allow the schoolteacher to go back and hear the
voices of their students thatyou know they're molding future
leaders of America.
Hearing aids allow the motherto hear her children's voices
again.
And I believe that.
Sure, the preventative aspecthow many concerts have you gone
(28:44):
to Madison or how many venueshave you been to?
No one's wearing hearingprotection really.
I mean the kiddos that arethere, thank goodness.
Usually, when I go to a concertor a loud venue, the little
ones have the earmuffs and Ilove seeing that, thank goodness
.
Usually, when I go to a concertor a loud venue, the little
ones have the earmuffs and Ilove seeing that, thank goodness
.
But even at some of the races,you know, how can we raise that
awareness of wearing hearingprotection?
(29:07):
You know, in college I wasprobably, I was definitely a
nerd, but we would go out, Iwould wear foam earplugs.
I didn't care, it was loud inthere and I didn't care what I
was whatever.
I know the impact.
I don't want to lose my hearing.
But you know, madison, I thinkthis is a challenge we might
(29:30):
have for years down the road.
But again, you are a leader inthe space.
You are consistently andconstantly in your team, working
together, raising awareness ofthe importance of hearing
healthcare, but with Cognition.
Again celebrating BetterHearing and Speech Month.
We have an opportunity here.
(29:50):
Why is it so important to getyour hearing checked?
Tell me, madison, is LevineHearing?
How are you celebrating BetterHearing Month?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (30:01):
Well , we've decorated, but we're
sending out an email.
You know we're doing our normalnewsletter.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (30:07):
So with your newsletter.
Let me ask you how often areyou inserting information about
cognition into that newsletter,Because that's another
educational piece for yourpatient, and are you including
research in that?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (30:21):
Yeah , always.
So we've done a monthlynewsletter for a long time.
I've gone to quarterly recently.
I want to make sure that it hasenough impact when they get it,
but we have a great open rate.
We have people that read it andtalk to us about it every time
they come in the office.
Madison Levine, BC-HI (30:39):
Wonderful .
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (30:40):
I think it's important.
There are so many ways to do anewsletter and to have a
marketing company help with it,but a lot of times they will
give the same articles thatthey're giving to all of their
clients in the same field andthey're fine.
But people aren't going to openthose very often.
Once they've done a couple ofthem it's just like another
(31:04):
piece of research.
I think that the key is havingreal personal information in it.
So whether we've done a teambuilding event or somebody who's
had a birthday, we've onboardedsomeone new, we just won, you
know, the best of the best inthe city, all those kinds of
things.
That's the highlight, and thenext they're already in.
(31:24):
And now here's the research.
Madison Levine, BC-H (31:26):
Absolutely .
Always an educational piecewhich, which I love, and again,
that's how hearing healthcareshould be.
We're not selling a widget.
The hearing aid is a third ofthe equation.
What we do is incrediblyspecialized.
We change lives every singleday, and I'm really excited and
so grateful for the researchthat is being released out there
(31:49):
.
You have the ACHIEVE study, youhave the ENHANCE study, you
have the latest study in JAMAotolaryngology head and neck.
We need more of that, and so wehave these studies and we have
this information.
We know that Levine Hearing issending this out to their
patient base.
Madison, we're talking about anational scale here.
(32:10):
How can we I always say,transfer of information, process
of duplication duplicate theprocess you're implementing and
duplicate that into a nationalcampaign?
Wait, I have an idea.
I think you're recording a TEDxtalk.
Is that correct?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - H (32:30):
Yes , I am so honored.
I'm thrilled I am so honored.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (32:35):
I'm thrilled.
Bring us through this, becauseisn't a little bit about the ear
brain connection all that we'retalking about today?
We don't want to spoil the TEDtalk, so I'm not going to ask
you to present all of that here.
What are you most excited aboutwith this TEDx talk?
And bring us through thisprocess, because this is is so
important, not only for hearinghealthcare, but for patients as
(32:58):
well.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (33:00):
I want everyone to actually watch
the talk.
It's going to be eight minutes,it won't take too much of your
life, but the title is the earbrain connection, and there are
just so many ways to expressthat.
We've been talking a lot aboutcognition today.
That's a huge part of it, butthere's also the mental health
aspect, the social isolationthat you mentioned, and so many
(33:24):
other issues that come alongwith an untreated hearing loss.
So, getting this opportunity todo this TEDx talk I didn't
think it was going to happenthis year talk I didn't think it
was going to happen this year Iam taking this opportunity and
what I want to do is to make ita lot bigger than me.
(33:44):
So I have a dream of creating anational campaign hashtag ear
brain connection and what I wantto do is I want to have impact.
I want this to ripple acrossthe whole industry One uniting
hearing care professionals,where we're all saying some of
the same information.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (34:04):
Yes, we're using this hashtag so
important.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (34:16):
I want for everyone to be
utilizing this hashtag to move amessage forward and get enough
traction that everybody's beingasked to go on their local news
station to talk about these newstudies, because one person is
not going to make enough of adifference.
I think there's a few things Iwould really like to see change
across the industry.
One is better patient education, so getting this to the
(34:37):
patients who need to hear it.
Two is educating the medicalfield outside of audiology.
Madison Levine, BC-H (34:44):
Absolutely , madison.
That's, yes, so essential.
My father would always say whenhe first started in audiology,
you know, I would tell peopleI'm an audiologist and they
thought I switched out carradios.
So educating otherprofessionals on hearing
healthcare.
Madison, I love the nationwideear brain connection.
(35:08):
We've been having theseconversations internally as an
industry for so long, but to geteveryone walking in that same
direction, similar to maybe eventhe same talking points, how
essential is that.
Madison, I am so excited foryour continued success and
really, on behalf of the entireindustry, thank you so much for
(35:30):
donating your time today.
I have one last question that Ithink could really help the
industry.
It's Better Hearing Month.
You're preparing for a TEDxtalk.
Very excited for you,congratulations.
What advice would you give toother hearing healthcare
professionals looking to raisemore awareness about the
(35:51):
cognitive effects of untreatedhearing loss in their practice?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (35:56):
I think we have to keep it
professional and medical andlike we started off with we're
not asking anything from them,we are offering information and
when you do it in that way likeyou said, law of reciprocity
people appreciate it.
They feel like you've giventhem a gift and they also don't
(36:16):
feel like you're you're tryingto get something from them, and
that really is, I think, at thecore.
Most people who are in theaudiology profession.
We got into it because we wantto help people, and this is the
best way that we can help themis by educating.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (36:32):
It's that symbiotic relationship
between the hearing careprofessional and the patient,
because that is a very special,special professional
relationship that you have.
Madison, thank you so much forjoining us on the Hearing
Matters podcast.
Any final words that you wantto share with us regarding your
TEDx talk or cognition?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (36:59):
TEDx talk or cognition.
I just want to say thank you,and I do some marketing and I do
some social media and peopleknow that.
What I would say to people whodon't know how to share and how
to engage, there's three bigthings that they can do they can
share the content, they cancomment on the content and they
can like it, and in that order.
That's the value proposition.
And so, even if you don't knowhow to go post and create your
(37:20):
own information, if you canshare, comment or like, you're
going to be part of a wavethat's going to get traction.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (37:27):
You're tuned in to the Hearing Matters
podcast, the show that discusseshearing technology, best
practices and a global epidemichearing loss.
We had Madison Levine of LevineHearing On celebrating Better
Hearing Month, discussing theconnection between cognition and
untreated hearing loss, and herpreparing for the TEDx Talk in
(37:50):
Charlotte, north Carolina.
Until next time, hear life'sstory.
We are seeing a ton of research
come out that's showing thathearing care has a direct
connection to our cognitivehealth and of anything we want
to keep our minds as we getolder.
So I think we're taking alittle bit of a different
approach.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (00:14):
I learned a long time ago that
marketing and PR are two verydifferent things you're tuned in
to the hearing matters podcast,the show that discusses hearing
technology, best practices anda global epidemic hearing loss.
(00:35):
Before we kick this episode off, a special thank you to our
partners cycle built for theentire hearing care practice.
Redux the best dryer hands down.
Caption call by Sorenson.
Life is calling CareCredit heretoday to help more people hear
tomorrow.
Faderplugs the world's firstcustom adjustable earplug.
(01:00):
Welcome back to another episodeof the Hearing Matters Podcast.
I'm founder and host, blaiseDelfino, and, as a friendly
reminder, this podcast isseparate from my work at Starkey
.
You're tuned in to the HearingMatters Podcast, the show that
discusses hearing technology,best practices and a global
(01:22):
epidemic hearing loss.
I'm your host, blaise Delfino,and joining me today is Madison
Levine from Levine Hearing.
Madison Levine is aboard-certified hearing
instrument specialist and she isthe founder of Levine Hearing.
She is a second generationprofessional in hearing
healthcare and she remembersspending afternoons as a child
(01:47):
in the back office of hermother's practice watching the
impact that better hearing hadon the lives of her patients and
their families.
She has a Bachelor of Sciencedegree from the University of
Georgia, which happens to be herparents' and brother's alma
mater as well, which happens tobe her parents' and brother's
alma mater as well.
After managing two successfulpractice locations outside of
(02:09):
Charlotte, she made the decisionto come back closer to home to
provide her services.
Levine Hearing in SouthCharlotte is an independent
practice.
She is nationally boardcertified in hearing instrument
sciences, which is an electivecertification.
That demonstrates herdedication to go above the
requirements of the state ofNorth Carolina which I know
(02:33):
North Carolina is verychallenging to get certified in
and it allows her to provide thebest care to her patients.
She is an active advocate forseniors in numerous groups in
South Charlotte.
She sits on the board of theLevine Senior Center and
dedicates extra time providinghearing loss and hearing aid
(02:53):
dedication in many local eldercare facilities.
Madison, that was a mouthful.
It is so great to have you onthe Hearing Matters podcast.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (03:04):
Thank you for having me.
That was a lot.
That was a beautifulintroduction.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (03:09):
Madison, I am so excited for a lot of
reasons.
Number one you and I are bothsecond generation hearing
healthcare professionals.
I think that's pretty darn cool, and I remember tuning in to a
podcast episode you had recorded.
I believe it was in 2020 or2021.
Anyways, we might have been inthe height of the pandemic.
(03:32):
Nonetheless, I've beenfollowing you now for a couple
of years On behalf of thehearing healthcare industry.
Thank you for all that you doand all that Levine Hearing does
, and today we're going to bediving into and talking about
cognition and hearing loss.
And we're going to start withthe first section, talking about
(03:53):
raising awareness, because,madison, you know more than I do
in terms of the importance ofraising awareness when you do
own and run a private practice.
So let's dive right in.
How does Levine Hearing raiseawareness about the link between
untreated hearing loss andcognitive decline?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (04:16):
I think this is one of the most
important topics of our time,especially as people are looking
at ways to live healthier lives.
It's almost trending right Tofigure out how to improve your
health span, not just yourlifespan.
So we're already living longer,but are we living well?
And so you see a lot ofresearch on cold plunging, on
(04:42):
all kinds of supplements, on youknow, let's get red number 40
out of our foods all thesethings.
But people are not talkingabout hearing care and we are
seeing a ton of research comeout that showing that hearing
care has a direct connection toour cognitive health and of
anything we want to keep ourminds as we get older.
(05:02):
So I think we're taking alittle bit of a different
approach.
I learned a long time ago thatmarketing and PR are two very
different things, and I wouldsay that the PR side is what
I've tried to really focus on interms of patient education.
I'm not asking patients todirectly respond to an ad or
(05:24):
something.
I'm putting education out there.
So, whether it's going intocommunity centers and just doing
free talks, presentations, I'mon radio and television and
that's getting our you know myface out there to educate, not
asking them for anything inreturn, just sharing free
information.
I think that's why it hasreally taken a grip in Charlotte
(05:47):
.
It's the number one thing thatpeople say when they come in is
that they heard something that Ishared with them on the
research between cognition andhearing loss.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (05:56):
To me it's that law of reciprocity
where you're giving yourcommunity the tools that they
need to make that educateddecision because you're not
asking them to.
You know, go click a link or doanything of that nature.
And it is May, Madison, it isMay 6th as this episode releases
, and it's Better Hearing andSpeech Month.
(06:17):
You celebrate, and I think allof us celebrate Better Hearing
and Speech Month every singlemonth.
It's just what we do.
It's in our DNA, but to yourpoint, it's healthspan.
We are living longer.
And on April 17th there was anew study that was released, and
(06:37):
the title of the study isPopulation Attributable Fraction
of Incident Dementia Associatedwith Hearing Loss Published
attributable fraction ofincident dementia associated
with hearing loss published inthe JAMA otolaryngology, head
and neck.
Now the question was whatfraction of incident dementia is
attributable to hearing loss ina community-based population of
(06:58):
older adults, and the findingswere that in this prospective
cohort study of 2,900participants, 32% of eight-year
incident dementia could beattributable to audiometric
hearing loss.
What does that tell you and howdoes this align with the
education that you're sharingwith your community?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (07:21):
What a landmark study Isn't that
incredible?
With your community.
What a landmark study Isn'tthat incredible?
What I found most interestingabout the study was that this
wasn't based on self-reportedhearing loss, so people may not
even realize themselves thatthey have a loss.
It was based on audiometrictesting, like the data shows
that they have a loss andthey're at increased risk.
So one of the things that I dowith my education is I focus.
(07:45):
The person I'm speaking to isnot necessarily the person with
hearing loss, because half ofthem don't even know that's them
that.
I'm talking to.
So I talk directly to thefamily, to the friends, the
children and grandchildren.
So a lot of what I put out onradio, on television, all of
that I'm not saying do you havea problem with this, Do you have
(08:08):
a problem with that?
I'm saying do you know somebodywho seems to be missing the
punchline of the joke, Askingwhat too often.
So this study really justvalidates that direction of
talking to the people who knowthe person who has the loss,
because they're the ones who aregoing to recognize it and
advocate, hopefully, for them togo get checked.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (08:29):
And and your strategy of integrating the
third party or the familymembers, because you cannot see
the picture when you're in theframe and we've both worked
together with patients.
We both fit patients withhearing technology and how long
it takes that patient Madison tocome into the clinic an average
of seven to 10 years toactually take that step towards
(08:52):
better hearing.
So I love the strategy of youeducating your patients and
what's so important about thisis too often, and I think in the
earlier years within ourindustry some clinics may have
been poking at the fear factorof if you don't wear hearing
aids you're going to getdementia.
You're not saying that correct.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HI (09:14):
No , I think you have to quote the
research for what it is.
It's drawing strongcorrelations between things, and
this is how we start to drawconclusions.
You need multiple studies thatare showing you different angles
of the same problem.
But you and I, blaise, you'reright.
Us growing up in thisprofession and then getting to
(09:36):
actually work with patients, yousee it on the ground, you see
what's happening with people'scognition before and after they
get hearing aids, and so we sitwith such curiosity to see what
is the research going to show.
And when it does say it lookslike this is actually having a
huge impact, we go.
(09:57):
That's what I thought andthat's what you hope.
That research would be doing isto poke at things that are
suspicions and to see can weprove them?
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (10:06):
When, when we talk about educational
materials for patients, madison,because I remember there was
the image of the tree and thetree sort of had a I think it
had a face on it and the leaveswere sort of withering away.
So it was like a full tree,like a half tree and then the
tree with zero leaves.
And that was like a full tree,like a half tree and then the
tree with zero leaves.
And that was that visualrepresentation of untreated
(10:28):
hearing loss being linked tocognitive decline.
So at Levine Hearing again,it's Better Hearing and Speech
Month when a patient comes infor their initial audiological
evaluation.
This is a new patient.
What materials are you sendingthem home with that is,
educating them on thatconnection between hearing
(10:52):
health and cognitive function?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (10:54):
This is maybe helpful for practice
owners that they're probablydoing a lot of a lot of this
already, but maybe one of thesethings will stand out as a
little additional way to educate.
But I look at pre, during andpost education for the patient
journey.
So a lot of that content thatI'm putting out where I'm not
asking for anything in return,that's their pre-education.
(11:16):
So whether I do a little bit ofeverything, if I'm honest.
So whether it's radio,television, mailers talks,
oftentimes they're hearing thatmessage before they get to the
office.
Once they have arrived.
I have done a lot of video overthe years and I've got big
(11:38):
screen TV in my waiting room.
It feels like a living room.
It's got a nice sofa and, youknow, real lamps and all that.
And while they're waitinghopefully for a very short
amount of time, they are seeingfacts.
Studies come across the screenand are mixed with videos and
some are patient stories andsome are me educating.
(11:59):
Then, once they get back, youknow the way that we review
their results.
I mean, obviously I don't haveto say we're using best
practices, we're going in depthwith all types of speech testing
and speech and noise testing,but we're educating in the
appointment with our scriptingon possible health impacts and
we're referencing studies,conferencing studies.
(12:21):
If they leave and they haven'tmade a decision, then we've got
a whole follow-up drip ofinformation that's going out by
mail and by email to them,besides the fact that they will
end up getting invitations tofuture events to learn more.
So I feel like once they're inthe family, they're going to
have to tell me they don't wantto be in the family anymore
(12:42):
because I'm going to keepeducating them all along the way
.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (12:47):
And Madison, this has been your
North Star again, from followingyour journey for years.
You're a second generationhearing healthcare professional
and how amazing it is, you knowfor us and the profession but
both of us especially beingsecond generation hearing
healthcare professionals theevolution of technology, what
(13:09):
the conversation was 20 yearsago to what the conversation is
now.
You know, we don't necessarilyhear with our ears, we hear with
our brain and if our brain isnot getting the information that
it needs, well, then we'regoing to feel off.
I remember in graduate school Iwent for my master's in speech
language pathology.
So cognition, I love this stuff, for lack of a better term
(13:34):
because you eat, you're notnecessarily feeding your body,
you're feeding your brain, andthat just stuck with me because
I'm like huh, I never reallythought of it that way.
With our patients, when theyare out with family members in a
(13:55):
complex listening situation,restaurant meeting, that
information's coming to theirbrain and now they need to know
okay, how do I categorize this?
How do I separate those sounds?
I didn't quite get that.
So I love that Levine Hearingis taking that educational
approach, so that pre, duringand post, very similar to what
(14:18):
we did here, Madison with theHearing Matters podcast.
Before patients you know werecoming into the door, we always
sent them our episode of what toexpect at your initial
evaluation Because, yes,untreated hearing loss and
cognition there's a link.
But you're also dealing with ahuman here.
Do they have some anxiety aboutgoing to the doctor?
(14:39):
Do they have that white coatsyndrome?
So I love that when patientscall you, trust has been built.
They know your voice, you knowthey can put a face to a name.
I think it's absolutelyincredible.
That educational aspect and, toyour point, leading with the
research, it's not pseudoscience.
It's absolutely notpseudoscience.
(15:01):
So right now, with the cliniceducation, this is a question
I've really been wanting to askyou and I'm curious to know do
you incorporate any cognitivescreeners in clinic to assess
the cognitive health of yourpatients with hearing loss?
(15:21):
So for those tuned in the MOCAis one which is the Montreal
Cognitive Assessment.
This measures attention,language abstraction, delayed
recall and executive functioning.
Another one is the MINICOG.
Curious to know is LevineHearing implementing any of
these screeners?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HI (15:39):
We have used Cognivue.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (15:41):
Okay, great.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (15:42):
Tell me more about Cognivue, and how
has it worked for not only yourclinic but, most importantly,
your patients scripting when wewere introducing it, because
(16:05):
there is a certain segment ofthe population that they want to
take every test.
They want to find outeverything preventatively.
You know, give me all thisstuff.
And then there are some peoplewho might have some anxiety at
the doctor and if they aren'treally sure why they're taking
this test and it feels a littlechallenging and they they might
even feel like they aren't doingwell on it.
That can create a lot ofanxiety.
(16:26):
So the scripting very importantand optional.
People need to be able to optin or not.
What's most interesting isseeing what happens when they
take it again at six months or12 months down the road.
So I have not put the datatogether yet.
I would love to see whatsomeone else has done and I will
be aggregating data as we goalong but to really start to see
(16:48):
what's happening in theirCognivue scores when they do
move forward with hearing aids.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (16:54):
Yes.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - H (16:55):
And I'm sure you've seen some of
this.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (16:57):
So when we talk about this dual sensory
input, you know you have yourvision and you have your hearing
.
So, with Cognivue, of courseyou have your vision and you
have your hearing.
So with Cognivue, of courseyou're relying on vision.
Right To to go through the, thescreening.
How long does the screeningtake?
Madison, it's pretty short.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (17:16):
I mean, we would give them eight
minutes total.
I mean it takes less than fivefor them to actually take the
screener minutes total, I meanit takes less than five for them
to actually take the screener,so getting them sat down,
getting them started and out.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (17:35):
So, for hearing care professionals tuned
in, you're using Cognivue.
At what point do you actuallyintroduce this tool?
And the reason I ask thisquestion is because, coming from
private practice, you know,okay, I have these specific time
slots to help this specificpatient because they're coming
in for their first fitting andthen after that, mr Smith, is a
first follow-up.
So I got to make sure that Ihave my clean and check stuff
ready to go.
Now I know your clinic.
You have multiple rooms.
(17:56):
Is it this first appointment?
Do you let the patients knowthat you have it?
Kind of bring us through thatprocess, because even if it's
not the Cognivue that ourhearing care professionals and
our colleagues use, at leastthey'll know this is at the
point of the appointment.
Maybe I should be implementingthe screener.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (18:17):
I've heard many people have tried it
different ways.
Isn't it interesting that youwould hope that cognitive
screening would be done in aprimary care office, but they
don't have the time.
So I my understanding is thatcognitive view you know, made
some attempts at inroads thereand when you've got six minutes
with a patient you can't also doa screener.
(18:39):
So it makes sense thataudiology is the place where it
should be done, because we mayhave 60 to 90 minutes with a
patient and we do normally haveall that time allocated.
We use it with purpose, yes, butcan we spare some time to use
this, especially if it could bea helpful counseling tool?
So that first appointment isthe time where they can opt in.
(19:02):
So when they would approach thefront desk to be greeted to
check in, we have an opt-in form.
Would you like to opt into thistesting today?
If you would, then they can sitdown and take that test rather
than sitting down in the waitingroom.
So we have a space just off ofthe waiting room where it's set
up and they can sit down and useit where it's set up and they
can sit down and use it.
Madison Levine, BC-HI (19:22):
Wonderful .
And, madison, you know you kindof sparked an idea here.
So the abbreviated profile ofhearing aid benefit.
I love that outcome measure andI love the software based
version because when you fit apatient you know you can
actually show them on the bigscreen in the fitting room.
This is where you were and thisis where you are now.
So, pre-hearing aid and thenwith the hearing aid and
(19:46):
especially the BN category,background noise is always
improved for the most part.
It should be at least so.
With cognition, I believe thatwe have an opportunity as
hearing care professionals tostart to measure our patients'
(20:06):
improvement with Cognivue.
So maybe it looks likepre-fitting you do the AFAB, you
do the Cognivue and then you dothe AFAB again at, let's say,
one month and then you do itagain at six months.
So maybe some sort of in-clinicprotocol to then measure how
(20:27):
these patients have improved.
Have you had to again?
This is all part of cliniceducation.
Have you had to refer anypatients to a neurologist and
tell us what that process islike?
And tell us what that processis like.
(20:50):
That has to be difficult to do,especially with the family
members, so if you'recomfortable sharing that with us
, yeah Well, it's gone a coupleof different ways.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (20:55):
Like I said, some people don't
really want to know.
That's why we have been muchmore clear about the opt-in and
what you know specifically whatthey're taking.
But I feel that our maybeothers feel differently.
But we have used the primarycare as that central command
center.
(21:15):
So if we have findings where wethink that they need to go on
and see a neurologist, we'resending it directly back to the
primary care with thatinformation, so we're not
referring directly to neurology.
I think that could create someincredible inroads and
relationships, but it's not astep that we've taken yet.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (21:34):
Having the partnership with the PCP is
always a way in which number onehearing healthcare is
community-based.
So then you're havingconnection with that primary
care physician who's overseeingthe overall health and wellness
of this patient and it's ashared patient and then you're
also being able to share theaudiometric data, whether it's
(21:56):
through their journey withhearing technology or maybe even
they were attested not helped.
So I think that's wonderful,absolutely integrating the PCP.
So, madison, patient responsewhen a patient visits a hearing
healthcare professional, theycan be anxious.
Maybe they're first-time users.
(22:18):
They're absolutely goingthrough that grieving process
and accepting that they havehearing loss.
When you're educating yourpatients throughout, how have
your patients responded to theinformation you're sharing them
about the link between hearingloss and cognitive decline?
Are you met with resistance?
(22:38):
Do they have a lot of questions?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (22:42):
I have found that it has been one
of the largest motivators forpeople to move forward, to even
get to the office.
And it's not just me educatingwith you know my methods but
it's also you know we're gettinggood morning.
America is posting about it.
Cnn has had several really goodposts the last year or two
(23:05):
about the links, and so peopleare finding this education.
I'm not getting resistance.
I would say that almosteverybody has had someone in
their life who has been affectedby dementia or cognitive
decline and if you have everexperienced that, if you have
ever had a family member gothrough it, you don't want it to
(23:29):
happen to you or to anybodyelse you love.
So the fact that it'smotivating to people, I'm just
glad.
There is good motivationbecause we know all the health
impacts of untreated hearingloss.
We see all the studies.
It's why we're so passionateabout it.
Patients don't know all ofthose studies, but if this is
one thing that can help motivatethem, I'm just glad.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (23:52):
And again, you, as well as so many
others in our industry, areeducating their community in a
way that is not fear-based.
You're not scaring individualssaying if you don't get these
hearing aids, you're going toget dementia.
That's not what we're saying.
Our belief in totality as aprofession has always been
(24:13):
untreated hearing loss.
There is a link to cognitivedecline and what's interesting
is because my next question wasgoing to be about patient
behaviors and attitudes towardscognition and untreated hearing
loss and you answered it alreadythere.
But but I'm happy to hear thatpatients are at least accepting
(24:34):
because we do.
I feel like we live in a day andage where we are living longer,
but people want to live longerhealthier.
I mean, we all have.
I don't have my smartwatch onright now, but between you've
got yours, so we're all wearingsmartwatches and what you're
doing there is you're trackingyour steps, your sleep score,
(24:56):
your heart rate variability, andwhat you're doing with that
information is how can I remainhealthier?
The cognitive aspect is sure,you have your brain, which is a
structure, but cognitionincludes you know language.
What is language?
Language is a code in whichideas are shared and you have
attention.
Is your spouse displaying signsof reduced attention, are they
(25:22):
starting to socially isolatethemselves, and that's often one
of the first signs of hearingloss is they start to socially
isolate.
And you know, madison, thank youand your team for everything
you're doing.
I've worked with a lot ofpatients, as have you, and I've
worked with a few patients thatpresented with early onset
(25:45):
dementia and then progressivelyit worsened over time and that
really, when you fit a patient,you know 10 years ago and you're
having this conversation andthis exchange and down the line,
it's progressive, right, andthat would always that would
(26:06):
tear me apart.
I've had family members youknow, of course, that presented
with dementia and it's an awful,awful disease.
So what we're doing here ashearing care professionals, we
have the opportunity to advocateand and you being a listen
carefully, ambassador to raiseawareness.
You know advocacy, educationand news this is absolutely part
(26:27):
of that mission.
Blaise M. Delfino, M (26:29):
Absolutely .
And let me say you know thethings that correlate with
dementia.
It's not one thing, and we knowthat if we were to say if you
do this one thing, then it'llnever happen to you, we know
that that would be, that wouldbe crazy.
It's like a switchboard ofthings and we have to flip as
(26:50):
many switches as we can in orderto reduce our risk factors.
And so when treating a hearingloss meaning getting good input,
that's, clear input to ourbrain, being included in
conversations when we know thatthat is one of the largest
modifiable risk factors.
It's one of many things.
(27:12):
Yes, we should be walking thismany steps and we should eat a
healthy diet and keep our brainsworking.
And if you can't hear, you needto correct your hearing loss.
So it's just as important asthose other things.
And what bothers me is that,yes, we're getting a little
traction on a few national newsstations, but overall, I see
(27:35):
tons of stuff about this weekly.
All the things you can do tohelp prevent dementia and
hearing loss is on the list likeone out of a hundred times.
Treating it it's, even thoughit's one of the largest.
It's not interesting to you.
That it's.
You know, it depends on who'stalking about it.
If it's audiology, we put it atthe front, but others don't,
(27:57):
even though priority wise itshould be.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (28:00):
And I wonder if it's well.
I shouldn't say I wonder, Iwould have to speculate.
It's absolutely the stigmaassociated with hearing loss,
because when you think ofhearing loss, you think of the
big beige banana andunfortunately, media has
portrayed hearing aids as thesebig things and it's a disability
.
You know.
Hearing aids empower patientsto reconnect with their loved
(28:22):
ones.
Hearing aids allow the schoolteacher to go back and hear the
voices of their students thatyou know they're molding future
leaders of America.
Hearing aids allow the motherto hear her children's voices
again.
And I believe that.
Sure, the preventative aspecthow many concerts have you gone
(28:44):
to Madison or how many venueshave you been to?
No one's wearing hearingprotection really.
I mean the kiddos that arethere, thank goodness.
Usually, when I go to a concertor a loud venue, the little
ones have the earmuffs and Ilove seeing that, thank goodness
.
Usually, when I go to a concertor a loud venue, the little
ones have the earmuffs and Ilove seeing that, thank goodness
.
But even at some of the races,you know, how can we raise that
awareness of wearing hearingprotection?
(29:07):
You know, in college I wasprobably, I was definitely a
nerd, but we would go out, Iwould wear foam earplugs.
I didn't care, it was loud inthere and I didn't care what I
was whatever.
I know the impact.
I don't want to lose my hearing.
But you know, madison, I thinkthis is a challenge we might
(29:30):
have for years down the road.
But again, you are a leader inthe space.
You are consistently andconstantly in your team, working
together, raising awareness ofthe importance of hearing
healthcare, but with Cognition.
Again celebrating BetterHearing and Speech Month.
We have an opportunity here.
(29:50):
Why is it so important to getyour hearing checked?
Tell me, madison, is LevineHearing?
How are you celebrating BetterHearing Month?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (30:01):
Well , we've decorated, but we're
sending out an email.
You know we're doing our normalnewsletter.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (30:07):
So with your newsletter.
Let me ask you how often areyou inserting information about
cognition into that newsletter,Because that's another
educational piece for yourpatient, and are you including
research in that?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (30:21):
Yeah , always.
So we've done a monthlynewsletter for a long time.
I've gone to quarterly recently.
I want to make sure that it hasenough impact when they get it,
but we have a great open rate.
We have people that read it andtalk to us about it every time
they come in the office.
Madison Levine, BC-HI (30:39):
Wonderful .
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (30:40):
I think it's important.
There are so many ways to do anewsletter and to have a
marketing company help with it,but a lot of times they will
give the same articles thatthey're giving to all of their
clients in the same field andthey're fine.
But people aren't going to openthose very often.
Once they've done a couple ofthem it's just like another
(31:04):
piece of research.
I think that the key is havingreal personal information in it.
So whether we've done a teambuilding event or somebody who's
had a birthday, we've onboardedsomeone new, we just won, you
know, the best of the best inthe city, all those kinds of
things.
That's the highlight, and thenext they're already in.
(31:24):
And now here's the research.
Madison Levine, BC-H (31:26):
Absolutely .
Always an educational piecewhich, which I love, and again,
that's how hearing healthcareshould be.
We're not selling a widget.
The hearing aid is a third ofthe equation.
What we do is incrediblyspecialized.
We change lives every singleday, and I'm really excited and
so grateful for the researchthat is being released out there
(31:49):
.
You have the ACHIEVE study, youhave the ENHANCE study, you
have the latest study in JAMAotolaryngology head and neck.
We need more of that, and so wehave these studies and we have
this information.
We know that Levine Hearing issending this out to their
patient base.
Madison, we're talking about anational scale here.
(32:10):
How can we I always say,transfer of information, process
of duplication duplicate theprocess you're implementing and
duplicate that into a nationalcampaign?
Wait, I have an idea.
I think you're recording a TEDxtalk.
Is that correct?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - H (32:30):
Yes , I am so honored.
I'm thrilled I am so honored.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (32:35):
I'm thrilled.
Bring us through this, becauseisn't a little bit about the ear
brain connection all that we'retalking about today?
We don't want to spoil the TEDtalk, so I'm not going to ask
you to present all of that here.
What are you most excited aboutwith this TEDx talk?
And bring us through thisprocess, because this is is so
important, not only for hearinghealthcare, but for patients as
(32:58):
well.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (33:00):
I want everyone to actually watch
the talk.
It's going to be eight minutes,it won't take too much of your
life, but the title is the earbrain connection, and there are
just so many ways to expressthat.
We've been talking a lot aboutcognition today.
That's a huge part of it, butthere's also the mental health
aspect, the social isolationthat you mentioned, and so many
(33:24):
other issues that come alongwith an untreated hearing loss.
So, getting this opportunity todo this TEDx talk I didn't
think it was going to happenthis year talk I didn't think it
was going to happen this year Iam taking this opportunity and
what I want to do is to make ita lot bigger than me.
(33:44):
So I have a dream of creating anational campaign hashtag ear
brain connection and what I wantto do is I want to have impact.
I want this to ripple acrossthe whole industry One uniting
hearing care professionals,where we're all saying some of
the same information.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (34:04):
Yes, we're using this hashtag so
important.
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (34:16):
I want for everyone to be
utilizing this hashtag to move amessage forward and get enough
traction that everybody's beingasked to go on their local news
station to talk about these newstudies, because one person is
not going to make enough of adifference.
I think there's a few things Iwould really like to see change
across the industry.
One is better patient education, so getting this to the
(34:37):
patients who need to hear it.
Two is educating the medicalfield outside of audiology.
Madison Levine, BC-H (34:44):
Absolutely , madison.
That's, yes, so essential.
My father would always say whenhe first started in audiology,
you know, I would tell peopleI'm an audiologist and they
thought I switched out carradios.
So educating otherprofessionals on hearing
healthcare.
Madison, I love the nationwideear brain connection.
(35:08):
We've been having theseconversations internally as an
industry for so long, but to geteveryone walking in that same
direction, similar to maybe eventhe same talking points, how
essential is that.
Madison, I am so excited foryour continued success and
really, on behalf of the entireindustry, thank you so much for
(35:30):
donating your time today.
I have one last question that Ithink could really help the
industry.
It's Better Hearing Month.
You're preparing for a TEDxtalk.
Very excited for you,congratulations.
What advice would you give toother hearing healthcare
professionals looking to raisemore awareness about the
(35:51):
cognitive effects of untreatedhearing loss in their practice?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - HIS (35:56):
I think we have to keep it
professional and medical andlike we started off with we're
not asking anything from them,we are offering information and
when you do it in that way likeyou said, law of reciprocity
people appreciate it.
They feel like you've giventhem a gift and they also don't
(36:16):
feel like you're you're tryingto get something from them, and
that really is, I think, at thecore.
Most people who are in theaudiology profession.
We got into it because we wantto help people, and this is the
best way that we can help themis by educating.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (36:32):
It's that symbiotic relationship
between the hearing careprofessional and the patient,
because that is a very special,special professional
relationship that you have.
Madison, thank you so much forjoining us on the Hearing
Matters podcast.
Any final words that you wantto share with us regarding your
TEDx talk or cognition?
Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. - (36:59):
TEDx talk or cognition.
I just want to say thank you,and I do some marketing and I do
some social media and peopleknow that.
What I would say to people whodon't know how to share and how
to engage, there's three bigthings that they can do they can
share the content, they cancomment on the content and they
can like it, and in that order.
That's the value proposition.
And so, even if you don't knowhow to go post and create your
(37:20):
own information, if you canshare, comment or like, you're
going to be part of a wavethat's going to get traction.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS (37:27):
You're tuned in to the Hearing Matters
podcast, the show that discusseshearing technology, best
practices and a global epidemichearing loss.
We had Madison Levine of LevineHearing On celebrating Better
Hearing Month, discussing theconnection between cognition and
untreated hearing loss, and herpreparing for the TEDx Talk in
(37:50):
Charlotte, north Carolina.
Until next time, hear life'sstory.
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