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Long Island Sound
May 2017
How Audiology Moved From Diagnostics to Rehabilitation Becoming a Good Listener
For me, audiology has always been about helping people. I entered into the field hopeful and excited, itching to learn everything I could to improve my future patients’ quality of life. But pretty early on, I hit a wall. The fact was, in 1989, audiology had become more of a diagnostic tool, than a means to solve actual problems in people’s real, daily lives. This shift was largely due to technological
improving the individual’s quality of life. You’ve likely filled this out as a new patient in our office. Today, Dr. Weinstein is Professor and Executive Officer of the Doctor of Audiology program at the City University of New York. Her original work was the breath of fresh air I needed, and her current work continues to be an inspiration for me. Now, many years later, I am fully dedicated to meeting the needs of my patients directly rather than just handing out diagnoses. I am fulfilling the original mission that got me into the field in the first place. Dr. Weinstein’s work helped inspire me to write my recent book, “Better Hearing With or Without Hearing Aids.” Using her perspective as a jumping-off point, in the book I explain the need for a collaborative rehabilitation process, between the patient and the professional. In fact, she even wrote a testimonial for the book in which she mentions her plans to assign it to her students! I do a lot of speaking events that deal with many of the issues I discuss in the book. Just a couple of months ago, I gave a talk titled “Why Hearing Aids Don’t Work.” You can imagine the kind of attention that title gets in a room full of people
progress. During and just after WWII, when audiology was “born”, helping service people cope with their hearing issues in practical ways was a vital part of the profession. But, later, as the science of diagnostics advanced rapidly, audiology moved away from this hands-on, helping approach, and into the realm of blips and bleeps. With the wealth of diagnostic technology came a profession-wide neglect of the human aspects involved in treating hearing loss. Audiologists were no longer focused on actually helping their patients solve problems as much as on diagnosing problems. While I was going to Columbia University, things began to change. Buzz began to build around a hearing handicap survey developed by audiology researcher, professor, and author Barbara Weinstein, Ph.D. When she was at Columbia University, I was immediately intrigued. The questionnaire she created — along with a collection of related data and statistics — was aimed squarely at uncovering real-life problems hearing loss caused for patients so those problems could be solved. Instead of just testing and diagnosing, Dr. Weinstein was proposing we ask better, more directed questions, and focus on actually
Dr. Larry giving a seminar.
who are coping with hearing difficulty! The truth is, if you prescribe a hearing aid and just send a patient off into the world, it’s likely that they won’t get a lot out of it. Overcoming the difficulties that hearing loss creates needs to be a much more holistic process. Though hearing aids are one component of that, they are just one tool that needs to be selected and used, and maintained properly — not the end-all be-all. As audiologists, we’re uniquely positioned to treat an often overlooked, but very instrumental part of a person’s well-being. Over the years, Dr. Weinstein helped me realize that it’s possible to step outside the confines of rote diagnostic testing, and into a place where I’m actually able to help people. I am so appreciative of all the inspiration and
support she’s given me. - We’re listening to you®.
– Lawrence Cardano, Au.D.
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4 Foods for Youthful Exuberance
What we eat influences not only our overall health, but how we age. Diets high in fat and sugar tend to age us quicker — and they can be detrimental to our brain, especially when it comes to memory and cognition. Recent research in audiology has shown that memory and cognition is important for comprehension of speech. Want to maintain a youthful spark and keep your mind sharp as you age? It’s all a matter of incorporating the following foods into your diet (while cutting down on the junk).
Avocados These green machines are high in healthy, monounsaturated fat. It helps maintain a more ideal blood pressure and can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure as you age. Because avocados are high in fat, you still want to watch how much you eat. Like any of the foods on this list, consuming too much of a good thing can negate the positive health benefits. Blueberries These juicy little blue balls of goodness are packed with antioxidants, which keep cells functioning at peak performance. That includes cells in the brain and those believed to be
associated with both short- and long-term memory. Eat blueberries as a snack, toss them in a smoothie, or add a handful to some salad, oatmeal, or cottage cheese. Flaxseed One of the easiest ways to boost your omega-3 fatty acid intake is to add a few tablespoons of ground flaxseed to foods you already eat (freshly ground is best). Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, which in turn reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Flaxseed is also high in fiber. These wonderful things come together to lower LDL cholesterol.
Salmon This is one fishy friend that’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is one of the heart-healthiest sources of protein you can eat. Other varieties of fish are exceptionally heart-healthy as well, namely sardines and anchovies, but those can be an acquired taste for some folks (though they are great in salads).
What Our Patients Are Saying
provide excellent enhancement for my hearing.” “Since I am a very active 88-year- old, I like the fact that no one knows that I am wearing a hearing aid. It matches my skin color perfectly. I am now able to carry on a conversation without saying, ‘Eh, what did you say?’ or asking callers on the telephone, ‘Could you repeat that?’ or saying, ‘I’m sorry, I did not hear or understand what you said,’ continuously. The best part is I can listen to the television at a moderate level and not have my children saying, ‘It’s too loud Dad, we can hear that television upstairs.’”
“Recently, I attended my great- granddaughter’s performance in her school play and could hear everything well and did not miss a word.” “Going to the Hearing Center of Long Island is a wonderful experience. The doctors are truly expert specialists in their field, and the support staff is accommodating and courteous. It was truly a great experience to go to the Hearing Center of Long Island, and I hope to continue going there for a long time to come. Thank you, Hearing Center of Long Island doctors and staff!” - Henry E. Bernard West Hempstead, NY
“What I like best about using my new hearing aids is the clarity and improvement of life it has given me. Having used other hearing devices for the past three years, it is the first time that I am truly satisfied with my hearing. Because the hearing aids I acquired from the Hearing Center of Long Island were selected and customized expertly, they
2 • We’re Listening to you.
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Many of you receiving this newsletter probably know that I’m a licensed audiologist and a board-certified Doctor of Audiology, but what you probably don’t know is that I’m the author of a new book, “Better Hearing With or Without Hearing Aids – Your Guide to Solving Your Hearing Problems.” When I was starting out in 1989, hearing aids were a far cry from what they are today, technologically speaking. Despite this, many of the patients I saw were extremely happy with the improved hearing and listening abilities I helped them achieve. But there were many who were not satisfied at all. Oftentimes, these were people with the exact same type of hearing loss and the exact same types of hearing aids as their happier counterparts. There were also many who continued to struggle with hearing difficulty without even attempting to get the help that could dramatically improve their quality of life. These obstacles to improving the quality of life for those with hearing loss frustrated me. (They also frustrated everyone else in the audiology community who was concerned about actually helping people.) The reason I became an audiologist was to help people suffering from hearing loss, and here was a whole
subsection of people whose quality of life was unaffected by the technology. After struggling with these issues in my own practice, I realized there were two facts I needed to focus on: 1) Many people with significant hearing difficulties were not seeking or getting help they
should have had, usually for one of a small number of reasons, and 2) Real success in overcoming the challenges of hearing loss depends on
The Sound of Laughter
factors other than advanced hearing aid technology — more than hearing aid manufacturers and some hearing care professionals seem to think.
Becoming vegetarian is a big missed steak.
Following years of research and analysis, my efforts eventually led to the development of some specific approaches to address these two prevalent issues. My book is chock-full of these strategies. In the future, I plan to include helpful information from the book in this section of the newsletter, so keep an eye — and an ear — out!
“Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” ― Bernard M. Baruch ON LISTENING
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Becoming a Good Listener 4 Foods for Youthful Exuberance What Our Patients Are Saying Better Hearing, With or Without Hearing Aids Take a Break The Most Exciting Years of Your Life!
The Most Exciting Years of Your Life! Developing a Passion After Retirement Getting older often leads to an increase in your free time. When you retire and your children leave the nest, many schedule slots open up. And when you suddenly have full days to spend at your leisure, it can be an intimidating experience. Fill up this influx in free time by developing a skill or recultivating a long-lost passion.
Everyone has things they wish they were better at or hobbies that were squeezed out of their busy lives. Maybe you were a phenomenal high school swimmer and are ready to dive back in the pool, or perhaps you have always wanted to learn the piano. Whatever sparks your interest, there is no better time than now to pursue it. When you are deciding how you want to fill your days, you should ask yourself some key questions. Are you a social person, or do you prefer solitary activity? What goals do you want to achieve in 4 • We’re Listening to you.
your later life? When you think back to your youth, what really inspired you? The answers to these questions will help you hone in on the most rewarding projects. Do not limit the sources of pleasure in your life. Try as many new things as you want. Stick with those you love most. Whether you take up organic farming, tai chi, or digital photography, do so with gusto, and you will be rewarded. You will impress your loved ones in no time. A lack of commitments can be scary, or it can be exhilarating. If you fill your days
with the people and endeavors that bring you the most joy, your later years will be more exciting than your earlier ones. Following your dreams doesn’t have an age limit.
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