Lose Your Hearing, Lose Your Mind!

The Devastating Link Between 

Hearing Loss and Dementia

While researching for a blog post I was writing about Better Hearing and Speech Month, I ran across a DIY hearing test. My eyes nearly popped out of my head! How in the world can you test your own hearing?

Come to find out, it was ASHA, our national professional organization, that published the test.  I clicked on the link and found this…

It’s a self-administered test that can be used as an initial screen to determine if you or your child needs an audiologic evaluation.

Try it out. Click on the pop-out icon for a printable version of the test.

While the name “test” kind of tricked me, it certainly got my attention, and that’s exactly what we, as professionals, are trying to do. We want to get your attention and help you understand that hearing loss is a serious issue.

Now, I’m not trying to sell you a hearing aid and I’m not receiving any referral bonuses from an audiologist, but I wanted to point out the consequences of hearing impairment.

Take a look…

In children, hearing loss is associated with:

·       Developmental delays in speech and language skills
·       Learning problems
·       Reduced academic performance
·       Social isolation
·       Poor self concept

If your kids are anything like mine, don’t be alarmed that your teenage sons have bombed this test. My three did!  No one ever seems to be able to hear me when I’m asking for help in the kitchen. No one seems able to follow my directions for folding laundry.  “Huh?” is the typical response when I ask why their beds were not made and, when they finally come up with an answer, two of them mumble.

Hearing loss?  No way! Believe me, they hear just fine. So, of course, you must assess your results carefully for children between the ages of 13 and 15… at least that’s what I did. (I think you know what I mean)

All kidding aside, for toddlers, preschoolers and school aged children, this is an excellent screening tool, and any “yes” responses should be carefully considered.

Maybe you're not worried about your child's hearing, but you probably know an adult with hearing difficulties. In fact,  48 million Americans have a significant hearing loss. That's troubling because...

In adults, hearing loss is linked to:

·       Mental decline

·       Accelerated brain tissue loss

·       Memory loss

·       Impaired cognitive function

·       Social isolation

·       Dementia

·       Alzheimer’s disease

Oh yeah, if that’s not bad enough, research has proven that, in adults, the risk for developing these problems escalates as the hearing loss grows worse. Yikes! 

Bottom line:  people with hearing loss not only get confused during conversation, they eventually just become confused. So, raise your hand if you're ready to see an audiologist about your hearing difficulties, but don't put it off because...losing your hearing could mean losing your mind.

Blindness cuts us off from things. Deafness cuts us off from people.
Helen Keller

Preserve Your Memory: 5 Fun Activities to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Synaptic Connections Using Solitaire: 

How to Preserve Brain Function

With Fun and Games

When it comes to memory loss, I've got good news and I've got bad news!

The bad news...there is no one single way to protect your memory.

The good news...there are a great variety of ways to do so...and it may be more fun than you think!

A new study published in AARP reveals that computers, cards, crafts and current issues of magazines are helpful in protecting your memory.  In fact, the things you are doing right now are helping to keep your brain sharp.

Here's more...

Scientist from the  Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center followed a group of study participants for an average of four years. Members of the group were tested to determine whether or not they developed Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that is often (but not always) a precursor to Alzheimer's Disease.

In the end, researchers determined that those who engaged in a variety of activities were 23% less likely to develop memory problems than those who were less engaged in fewer activities. 

These results help to prove that lifestyle factors may strengthen the brain to allow it to withstand disease. Additionally, these findings emphasize the importance of keeping he mind active as we age. 

Here's why...

Scientist concluded that participants who regularly used the computer and took part in social activities had a reduced risk of memory problems.  They determined that the increased number of synaptic connections promoted new neural connections.

Sparing you a lecture on the neuroscience of brain function, you'll just have to trust: 

increasing synapse + new connections = good for your brain.

Take a closer look at the recommended activities and see how much they reduced the risk for developing memory problems...

Five Fun Activities 

to Keep Your Brain Sharp

1.  Using computers:  Reduced Risk 44%

The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging followed about 2,00 men and women, age 70 and older. They determined that participants who used the computer at least once a week were 44% less likely to develop memory and thinking problems than those who rarely logged on. 

So put down that crossword puzzle and reduce your risk of developing memory problems right in front of the computer. What do you do once you get there?

• surf the web
• send and read emails
• check Facebook
• browse Pinterest
• shop online
• pay bills
• play brain games

2.  Playing Cards: Reduced Risk 14%

Whether alone, in pairs or in groups, playing cards and board games can protect your brain. Who's in for fun and games? Me!  Because my Clue game is too bulky, I'm partial to cards and carry a deck in my purse at all times. Here are a few suggestions for fun card games:

Solitaire, Concentration, Bowling Solitaire, Bakers Dozen and Monte Carlo are a few games to play by yourself.

If you have a friend, play a classic card game like Crazy Eights, Go Fish, Blackjack or Uno.

With a group, games like Bridge, Spades, Rummy, Skipbo and Spoons are lots of fun.

3.  Crafting:  Reduced Risk 16%

If a computer is just not your thing, or cards and games are out of the question, then work on a craft or a hobby. Pick up on old hobby or unfinished project, or find something new to enjoy. Need an idea of what to do? Consider:

• Gardening
• Painting
• Scrapbooking
• Completing DIY projects
• Researching genealogy
• Interior decorating 
• Holiday crafting

4.  Reading Magazines: Reduced Risk 30%

Reading is great for brain health! It allows stress reduction, mental stimulation and new knowledge. Magaizines don't require any extreme time commitment and, because magazine have numerous stories and articles, they offer a variety of subjects you can talk about. 






5.  Chatting

Experts emphasize the importance of staying socially connected. Not only does conversation keep you cognitively active, spending time talking with friends reduces depression and decreases blood pressure. This is the best news I've heard all day...I love to talk!  









These five activities have proven to be particularly effective in helping keep the brain sharp.  Even if they don't prevent dementia, staying mentally, physically and socially active is beneficial to your health and wellness. Share this information with someone you know and get started today! 

Time flies whether you're having fun or not. The choice is yours. 

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Hearing Loss: YOUR Kids Are at Risk!

You Only Get One Pair of Ears

The other day, I was talking with my daughter, when I did the unthinkable...I unconsciously went back to the 1980s and referred to my iPod as a Walkman. 

                                              

"Mom, what in the world is a Walkman?"

You should have seen the look of confusion on her 11 year old face as I tried to explain cassette tapes in portable devices.  I'm not sure she even believed me when I told her that all of the cool kids had one. She certainly couldn't imagine that an iPod did not even exist when I was growing up. 

Her mind was blown but she was intrigued so I continued. I told her that if you were really, really cool, you walked around with a boom box on your shoulder. 

Remember this?

I could be all wrong, but as far as I know, no one really cared about hearing loss in kids during the 80s. In fact, based on my observations, no one ever really cared about hearing loss in any population- not factory workers, not military personnel, not even rock stars. No one was taking care of their ears. 

These days, we realize that we only get one pair of ears in this lifetime. As a result, hearing protection and hearing loss prevention are a pretty big deal for people of all ages. 

What changed? Who lead the efforts to increase awareness?

Every year in May, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) recognizes speech and hearing professionals as a means for increasing public awareness of...you guessed it...speech and hearing issues. 

I never realized that hearing comes before speech as we celebrate this month. (Did you catch that?)  So, I decided to depart from my typical exploration of speech disorders, cognitive impairments and swallowing difficulties.  This time, I want to give some love to my professional counterparts- the audiologists. In doing so, let's consider a very important hearing issue:  noise-induced hearing loss. 

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is growing more common in younger segments of the American population. At the same time, personal audio technology use is on the rise... even in the youngest of children. Putting the two together, ASHA presents some eye opening statistics:

• 75% of kids ages 8 and under have access to a smart mobile device at home

• Almost 40% of children under 2 have used mobile devices

• 1 in 6 teens has a high-frequency, noise-induced hearing loss

• 96% of parents believe their child is either not at risk or only slightly at risk of developing hearing problems as a result of excessive noise

• 70% of parents haven't spoken with their kids about the consequences of excessive or prolonged noise exposure

Recognizing that NIHL is completely preventable, ASHA launched a campaign known as Listen to Your Buds.  The goal of the program is to educate the public about the risks of hearing loss in children from the unsafe use of personal audio technology, namely headphones and ear buds. 

While ASHA wants all kids to enjoy their technology, they emphasize that it must be done safely.  Here are 6 recommendations:

1. Keep the volume down- a good guide is half volume
2. Limit the listening time- give your ears and your hearing "quiet breaks"
3. Talk to your kids- discuss and model safe listening habits
4. Volume-limiting settings and parent controls- don't forget to use them
5. Use noise-cancelling earphones when listening in a noisy environment
6. Try the 60-60 rule- never turn the volume past 60% and only listen to music with earbuds for 60 minutes each day

So, how loud is too loud?  The average MP3 player has a max volume of 105 decibels, but noises can cause permanent hearing damage at only 85 decibels. How loud is that?  Here's a breakdown of the noise levels associated with everyday sounds and situations. 

Researchers estimate that nearly 25% of teens listen to their personal devices at risky levels. Therefore, experts suggest, if your child cannot hear you talking when you are standing an arm’s length away, then tell him or her to turn down the volume.

Teach your kids to start with the volume low and turn it up only loud enough to hear the music comfortably.  With a few simple changes to listening habits, kids can keep their ears healthy and prevent hearing loss in the future, and that's awesome because....we only get one pair of ears in this lifetime. 

One person's music is another person's noise.
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Help... I Can't Swallow My Pills!

Easy and Effective Strategies For

 Swallowing Medications

A hard pill to swallow...

it's not just an expression to use when dealing with something unpleasant or disappointing, it's a reality for nearly one third of adults who, every day,  have difficulty taking their medications.


For some, the troubles experienced when taking medicines are psychogenic in nature and can be traced back to a longstanding mental block or fear associated with swallowing pills. For others, a condition known as dysphagia is to blame.


While there are a variety of reasons a person may experience dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, typical causes are related to:

• neurological impairments 
• surgery
• muscular weakness
• physical changes 

Whatever the cause of the problem, coughing and gagging are the most frequently observed difficulties when it comes to swallowing medications and supplements, but troubles don't stop there. Over the years, I've seen lots of tears, a few emotional breakdowns, adamant refusals and, just last week, I saw a bright yellow potassium pill fly out of a lady's nose. Wow!


If pill swallowing problems were an every now and then occurrence, taking medicine might be tolerable, but that's usually not the case. Most adults are taking multiple medications, and they're doing it two, three and even four times a day. Considering this, it's easy to understand why the process of taking medicine can quickly become an agonizing process.

If you or someone you know is having problems swallowing pills, try to ease the stress by incorporating the following:

Top 10 Pill Taking Tips

From Your Speech Therapist

1.  Have plenty of liquid available

Drink as many sips of liquid as you need before taking medicine to moisten the mouth, during the swallowing process to put the  pill in motion and after swallowing medication to make sure the pill has cleared the mouth and throat. Water is the most common liquid used when taking medications, but typically, any liquid will do. Because some medications cannot be taken with citrus juices, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about liquid restrictions for the medicines you are taking.

2.  Start small and work your way up

When it comes to pills, bigger is not always better, and it's almost never any easier to swallow. Increase your success and build your confidence when taking medications by starting with the smallest pill.  Progressively work toward the largest pill, and you'll be done before you know it.

3.  Prioritize your pills

Begin by taking the most important medications. This way, if something goes wrong, you are sure that you've at least got those critical, life sustaining drugs in your system. Use your best judgment as there are not hard and fast rules for pill prioritization. Ask yourself, if I'm only able to take one pill, which one should it be? Here's a hint: blood pressure medicine should probably be taken before a calcium supplement, no matter who you are.

4.  Take one at a time

While some people can swallow an entire bucket of pills in one gulp, taking medications one at a time is recommended. Be patient, swallow medications one by one, and take rest breaks as needed. A slow, methodical approach allows easy passage and prevents a back up of pills in your throat.

5.  Place medication on the back of the tongue

Sometimes, the hardest part of taking medicine is getting it from the front of the mouth to the back of the throat. By using your fingers or a spoon to deliver tablets to a posterior point in the back of the mouth, less travel time is required. Additionally, the chances of a pill going down without getting stuck on your tongue or lost between your cheek and gum are increased. Word to the wise: this may not be a good strategy for someone with a hypersensitive gag reflex.

6.  Swallow hard

Put some effort into your swallow by squeezing the muscles of the throat and neck. By doing so, you will increase tongue base retraction and the pressure generated during the pharyngeal phase of the swallow. In combination, these actions are able to reduce the chances of pills getting stuck in the throat.

7.  Keep your head down - use a chin tuck

Don't be fooled, tossing your head back to look up when taking medication doesn't make it easier or safer. Performing a chin tuck is simple maneuver which provides several great benefits for increasing the ease of which you can take medications. Looking at your lap as you swallow actually opens the passageway, prevents medications from spilling prematurely over the back of the tongue and therefore, increases airway protection. Give it a try...I bet you will be glad you did.

8.  Cut or break tablets or caplets into pieces

With approval from your doctor or pharmacist, medications can be split into smaller pieces. While you may now have to contend with sharp edges and a yucky taste, often times, pills are easier to swallow when they are in smaller pieces. There are certain types and forms of drugs that cannot be broken or crushed, so carefully examine prescription warning labels and, if in doubt, consult with your physician. 

9.  Crush and/or mix medicines

Don't choke or gag your way through your medication routine, consider crushing pills and then mixing them into pudding , yogurt or applesauce. The smaller particles and the thick carrying agent can make it easier to get your medications down the hatch.  Just remember, extended-release medications should never be cut, chewed, crushed or dissolved. 

10. Liquid, chewable  and melt away options may be available

Tell your doctor if you're having trouble swallowing your medications. Instead of facing an intimidating horse pill, ask if there is something easier. Liquids, chewables, gummies and melt aways are available in some instances...but only if you ask for them. 

I've seen daughters, sons, husbands, wives, and caregivers struggle through the task of delivering pills to a loved one. Without a doubt, it can be an exhausting, time consuming and even heart wrenching process. 


While there is no one perfect way to swallow pills,  the process can be adjusted or individualized to ease the difficulty and stress associated with taking medications. With patience, encouragement and genuine commitment, medications can be safely swallowed.


A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time- pills or stairs.
Joan Welsh


PS:  Sharing is caring, so please feel free to pass this information along to someone you know who might benefit. 

PSS: Did I leave something out? Do you have a tip to share? Leave me a comment...I would love to hear from you.

Breaking News: 100+ Common Medications Now Linked to Dementia.

Loosing Your Mind?
It could be a side effect of your medication!

Science has enabled us to understand the cause of dementia.  Plain and simple, it's damage to brain cells that is responsible for the changes in core mental functions associated with the disease. In fact, different types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell damage in particular regions of the brain. Because of these discoveries, researchers have developed medical treatments for mild to severe cognitive impairments.

In the world of dementia care, there are currently five drugs that are FDA approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and dementia: Namenda, Aricept, Razadyne, Namzarik and Exelon. 

While no drug is yet capable of curing Alzheimer's, these current medications are able to lessen or stabilize symptoms for a period of time. So, once diagnosed, doctors use these medications, alone or in combination, to slow the advancement of this progressive, degenerative disease. In the meantime, medical research teams continue their studies in the area of dementia. 

Recently, researchers have published the results of their latest dementia studies. In this brief video, learn how the use of common reflux medications has been shown to increase the risk of developing dementia by 44%. 

Do you know anyone who regularly uses proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn? I do! I am married to a man with chronic acid reflux, so this information really grabbed me. If extended use of Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid increases his long term risk of developing dementia, he's in big trouble.  Actually, if he develops dementia, I'm in big trouble.

After reading the results of this study, my husband and I agree: simple diet changes will reduce his reflux and decrease his dependence on these medications. While cutting out tomatoes and switching to decaf coffee may not provide the same quick relief he is accustomed to when taking these PPIs, it will be a necessary start for his long term health and wellbeing.  

After watching this video, do you need to make any changes?


Next, a new study, published just a few days ago, offers the most definitive proof yet of what scientists have known for at least a decade...anticholinergic drugs (Dramamine, Dimetapp, Benadryl, Unisom, Demerol, Paxil and VESIcare, just to name a few), are linked to cognitive impairment, brain shrinkage and, you guessed it, increased risk of dementia.





Everyone knows that drugs have potential side effects. Because we are a society of people who want quick fixes and have expectations of instant gratification, when it comes to treating medical conditions, we often times overlook the negative consequences of the medicines we take. The results of these two research studies should serve as real eye openers to the potential dangers of the extended use of these types of drugs. 

Perhaps you need to reconsider the medications you take?  Talk to your doctor to see if changes in your medical regimen are needed to preserve the long term health of your brain.


The person who takes medicine must recover twice- once from the disease and once from the medicine. 
William Osler, MD

Preventing Medication Errors- For You, For Them, For Everyone!

Take as Directed:

Cool New Tools for Managing Your Medications

Polypharmacy, confusion, difficulty with containers and disorganization can lead to patients being over medicated or under medicated... the top 5 medication mistakes made by patients at home.

Careful planning and organization of your  prescriptions can prevent some of these most common errors from ever taking place. 

In a previous post, I discussed these 5 medication errors and presented simple solutions for each of them.  Now, let's consider additional (high tech) options available for medication management and organization. I've included something for everyone.

1.  For healthcare providers: Epocrates

Rated a top 10 app for physicians and a great choice for any medical professional, Epocrates has really great features:

• Reference safety information for thousands of brand, generic and OTC medications
• Check for potentially harmful drug interactions for up to 30 drugs at a time 
• Identify pills by imprint code and physical characteristics

Quickly and easily gather pertinent information about the prescription medications your patients are taking. Use the app as a reference, when problem solving and when providing education. Epocrates is certainly a great addition to a speech pathologist's therapy tool box. 

2.  For patients: PillPac

PillPack is an online pharmacy that can also take the guess work out of medication management.  A patient's medications are sorted, sealed and labeled in a handy little packet, checked by pharmacists and delivered right to their door. How cool is that?

Watch this quick video to see how it works...it's pretty neat!

While these little packages of pills may not work for everyone, they certainly reduce the potential for medication error. There are other companies that provide a similar service, so check around, ask your doctor and talk to your insurance company. Of course, always take into account individual variables before deciding to use such a service, because, like I said, it may not work for everyone.

3.  For anyone: Medisafe Medication Reminder, Prescription and Pill Organizer

This easy to use and FREE app helps you manage medications so that you never forget to take them. The Medisafe Medication Reminder, Prescription and Pill Organizer app is ranked #1 by pharmacists as a tool to help you remember when to take your pills.

This virtual pill box offers custom alerts, compiles medical information and even provides motivation and encouragement to keep up healthy regimens. It may not be the solution for everyone, but for the technologically savvy, it a great tool for preventing medication errors. 

"Take as directed" sounds so easy, but when there are multiple medications and multiple doses each day, prescriptions and pills quickly become difficult to manage. Incorporate any of these options today and take control of your health. 

The glory of medicine is that it is constantly moving forward, that there is always something new to learn. 
William James Mayo

Organizing Prescription Medications: 5 Quick Fixes for Common Problems

Medication Management: 

Reduce Your Risk of Common Errors

As a home health speech pathologist, I can say I've seen a lot of things, up to and including a naked man... he wanted to know if I could provide his therapy while he was nude. 

Uh, no. 

Luckily, I don't run into many situations where patients want to wear their birthday suits to therapy, but I often run into another, more serious problem:  medication errors.

Really?

Yes!

Here are some of the facts according to a recent study performed the National Institutes of Health:

• 40% of seniors take 5 or more prescription medications
• 90% of people 65 and older take at least 1 prescription medication
• 55% of seniors take their medications incorrectly

Understanding that most elderly people take medications, and knowing they don't always do it correctly, let's look a little closer at the reasons why mistakes are made and how they can be better managed. 

Top 5 Medication Errors

For Patients At Home:

Problems Solved

Problem:  being over-medicated or under-medicated 
If a person is taking too much or not enough of a prescribed medication, a therapeutic dose cannot be maintained. The consequences can range from minor inconvenience all the way to serious illness...even death.

Solution:
Regularly reconcile your medications with your physician by comparing your current medication orders to all of the medication you have been taking. This helps to reduce mistakes such as omissions, dosing errors and/or drug interactions



Problem:  polypharmacy
Polypharmacy occurs when a patient takes multiple drugs for one or more conditions- usually a large number of medications prescribed by different providers. Not only can numerous medications can be difficult for patients, caregivers and family members to manage, serious side effects can occur as a result of taking too many at once.

Solution:
Inform your doctor of all of the medications you are taking and review them at every transition of care. For instance, a drug review should take place with a change in setting, service, practitioner and/or level of care. 



Problem: confusion

Sometimes, even with the greatest care, mistakes are made  because pills cannot be identified due to similar size, shape or color, doses are unclear, or the reason for the medication is unknown. No matter the cause, patients may become confused.

Solution:
Keep a complete, up to date list of all your medications, taking care to save the information sheets that come with them. Ask your pharmacist about any questions you may have. When picking up, make sure the prescription is the one your doctor ordered. 

Problem:  containers are complicated

For older eyes, print on bottles can be difficult to read. Generic and brand names of medications are confused and result in mistakes. Dosing schedules may be unclear. Safety caps are not easily removed.

Solution: 

Use enlarged print to mark existing labels regarding purpose and/or administration of each medication (PAIN:  1 EVERY 4 HOURS,  BLOOD PRESSURE: AM, etc.).  Use color marks on the bottles to assist with scheduling the time of day medications should be taken (orange- breakfast, blue- bedtime, etc.). Ask the pharmacy filling the prescription about easy open cap options.

Problem: disorganization

Common forms of disorganization:  bottles are misplaced or are in several different locations in the home,  pill boxes were not correctly filled, or maybe those pill boxes been lost or have spilled.

Solution:

Traditional methods for organizing medications include plastic zipper bags, baskets, bins, and my personal favorite, pill boxes (single dose, daily or weekly options are available). Keep medications and pill boxes in a designated location.  To avoid mistakes, have one person responsible for filling the boxes each week and use the buddy system as needed. Use a rubber band to secure the lids of a pill box in the event of a spill or during travel. Create a checklist of current medications to check off when  you take each one.

Are you making any of these mistakes? Do you know anyone who is? Use these tips to quickly and easily re-work your medication management system. Careful planning and organization of your  prescriptions can prevent some of these most common errors from ever taking place. 

The aim of medicine to to prevent disease and prolong life. The ideal of medicine is to eliminate the need for a physician.

William James Mayo