Risks of Hearing Loss in Our Aging Population
by Marty Barnum, CSC, MA
Hearing Loss Webinar Handouts – 5.21.14
Research out of Johns Hopkins Medical Center is showing a correlation between hearing loss, falls, and dementia in people over the age of 50. People in this age group who have a hearing loss, are at higher risk for falls and for dementia. And not only is the risk higher for the onset of dementia, but also for a faster decline in functioning.
This information has implications for quality of life, demand for assisted living and/or skilled nursing care, and for healthcare costs. Given these implications, are there actions that can be taken to counteract these risks? This session will explore the research in this area and discuss some potential solutions.
Marty Barnum, CSC, MA
Ms. Barnum currently works as a consultant and an interpreter. She recently spent a year with the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care under a special contract to look at the needs of nursing home residents with hearing loss.
Ms. Barnum previously coordinated interpreter services for the state of Minnesota, taught at St. Catherine University, and provided advocacy services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing and deafblind people in medical and legal situations.