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HDNJ News Hearing Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss: The Key to Preventing Cognitive Decline

As we age, it’s natural to experience changes in our hearing. However, what many people may not realize is the profound impact that hearing loss can have on cognitive function. Fortunately, experts like Dr. Rhee Nesson, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology & Certified Dementia Practitioner, are dedicated to raising awareness about this crucial connection.

Dr. Nesson, the founder of Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, is on a mission to educate individuals about the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. For this reason, she is eager to host two upcoming events at senior centers in Chatham and Millburn, New Jersey.

Chatham Senior Center

The first event, taking place at the Chatham Senior Center on March 28th at 1 pm, promises to be an enlightening discussion on the topic of cognitive decline in hearing loss. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Nesson’s expertise and gain valuable insights into the realities of untreated hearing loss.

Milburn Senior Center

For those unable to attend the Chatham event, there’s another chance to participate at the Millburn Senior Center on April 26th at 11:30 am. Dr. Nesson will shed light on the same topic, allowing the community another opportunity to understand the importance of addressing hearing loss and its potential role in the prevention of further problems.

Untreated hearing loss can accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease—making this opportunity to learn vital to long-term health. By taking proactive steps to learn about and address hearing loss early on, individuals have a better chance of maintaining cognitive function as they age.

About Dr. Rhee Rosenman-Nesson

Dr. Rhee Rosenman-Nesson is the founder of Hearing Doctors of New Jersey and a Doctor of Audiology who helps patients to never say “what” again. She developed a proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™ Treatment Program that focuses on hearing goals, engagement with loved ones and analytics to deliver real, measurable results. She has almost 20 years of experience helping more than 4,250 people from 0-105 years old with their hearing. 

Dr. Rhee also has developed countless educational videos and content on hearing loss and hearing aids. She has a passion for helping people struggling to hear their family and friends. Dr. Rhee has created a proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™ Treatment Program which standardizes the patient experience and takes the guesswork out of what the best hearing aid is, by providing extensive testing, validation, and fitting verification so her patients never say “what” again.

Why is Learning About Hearing Loss Important?

As we navigate the journey of aging, it’s essential to prioritize our auditory health, and attending events like those hosted by Dr. Rhee Nesson helps share the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions. It can also potentially help them mitigate the risk of cognitive decline.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn– mark your calendars for the upcoming events at the Chatham and Millburn Senior Centers and take the first step toward preserving your hearing and cognitive function for years to come.

Schedule an Appointment

To learn more about Dr. Rhee Nesson and Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, visit their website and take advantage of the resources available to you. Your hearing health is too important to ignore— schedule an appointment with Dr. Nesson via our online contact form or call the office to get started.

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HDNJ News Local Services

Join the Founder of Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, Rhee Nesson, Au.D., for a Talk on March 6th

Join Dr. Rhee Nesson, a Doctor of Audiology and Certified Dementia Practitioner, for a talk on the topics of hearing loss and preventing cognitive decline at Montclair Senior Center on the 6th of March 2024. Whether you are noticing signs of hearing loss and cognitive decline in yourself or a loved one, learning about these conditions from a passionate expert, like Dr. Nesson, is the best way to begin addressing these concerns.

About Dr. Rhee Nesson, Au.D., CCC-A

Dr. Rhee Nesson is a doctor of audiology and certified dementia practitioner who received her undergrad degree from the University of Michigan before going on to attend Hunter College and the Graduate Center of New York where she received her doctorate in Audiology. From a young age, Dr. Nesson has been interested in helping people, not just tell their own stories, but hear the inspiring ones around them. After fitting her own grandmother with her first hearing aids, she saw how big of an impact audiology had on her own family and has been dedicated to making that impact in other people’s lives ever since.

What Is Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline?

Hearing loss is almost exactly what it sounds like. It is the gradual, or sudden, loss of hearing in one or both ears. Hearing loss can be caused by many different factors including age, injury, infection, damage, or certain conditions. Hearing loss on its own can be difficult to come to terms with at the beginning of your diagnosis and has been linked to cognitive decline such as dementia. Those with dementia experience an impaired ability to think, remember, and make decisions, all of which make it difficult to complete everyday activities.

Can Hearing Loss Lead to Cognitive Decline?

In a study done by Johns Hopkins, it was found that hearing loss is linked to problems walking, increased falls, and dementia. It was seen that mild hearing loss doubled a person’s risk of dementia, moderated hearing loss tripled dementia risk, and severe hearing loss made individuals as much as five times more likely to develop dementia.  When it comes to discerning why these two are so closely linked, it was seen in brain scans that hearing loss can contribute to expedited atrophy of the brain. Hearing loss can contribute to social isolation, whether intentional or not, and results in decreased engagement and conversation with those around you. This dissipating socialization can contribute to cognitive decline like dementia.

We rely on our ears to pick up sounds and cues around us in order to help with our balance. When you suffer from hearing loss, mild or severe, it interferes with your balance and stability. The muting of these important sounds causes your brain to work harder to notice and process the noises around you. As a result, the multitasking going on in your subconscious can impede the thought processes necessary to walk safely.

Learn More from Dr. Rhee Nesson

Join Dr. Rhee Nesson from Hearing Doctors of New Jersey on March 6th, 2024, at Montclair Senior Center to learn more about hearing loss and ways to prevent cognitive decline. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Nesson, fill out an online contact form and begin hearing the world around you again.

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Hearing Loss

The Best Hearing Aids for Children with Hearing Loss

Many people associate hearing loss with old age, but this is not always the case. Children can be born with hearing impairments or develop hearing loss early in life. If you suspect changes in your child’s hearing, it is important to schedule a hearing test right away since treatment options for children may be a little different than treatments for adults.

How is Hearing Loss Diagnosed in Children?

Children and adults are diagnosed with hearing loss at a hearing examination. Your child will listen to a series of beeps at different frequencies to determine their range of hearing. An individualized treatment plan will be created based on the results of this test. Your audiologist may recommend a comprehensive treatment that involves a family physician, pediatrician, and speech-language pathologist.

What Type of Hearing Aids Should My Child Wear?

Children should be fitted with prescription hearing aids fine-tuned to their specific needs. Prescription hearing aids are sold by licensed hearing specialists and audiologists. They are equipped with the latest technology and a variety of innovative features like Bluetooth capability, long-lasting battery life, automatic adjustments to different environments, and more!

Why Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Are Not Approved for Children

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids were approved by the FDA in October, 2022, for adults over the age of 18. FDA approval was received have extensive testing and clinical trials so these hearing aids are safe, but they might not be appropriate for children. There are a few reasons why children should be using prescription hearing devices.

Speech and Language Development

Children with hearing loss require more specialized care from healthcare professionals and speech-language pathologists who can prevent development delays and ensure the child’s success. Language and speech are important not just for educational success but also for good social interaction with friends and family.

Physical Growth

Additionally, children are constantly growing which means their ears and ear canals are growing. Regular visits with a hearing specialist are needed so that the fit of the hearing aid can be checked and adjusted as needed. OTC hearing aids skip over these necessary doctor visits for children and may inadvertently hinder your child’s comfort and ability to hear.

Range of Hearing

Prescription hearing aids have more advanced technology that increases your child’s ability to hear in a variety of settings. Some classrooms have equipment that syncs the teacher’s microphone to a child’s hearing aids. This is especially helpful in noisy environments or when the teacher is speaking at a distance. Only prescription hearing aids can connect to these helpful devices.

Schedule a Hearing Test in New Jersey

Our Doctors of Audiology have extensive experience working with children and adults. Schedule your child’s appointment today at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey to begin your child’s hearing treatment program.