Published: April 29, 2015

TMJ Next Generation

The impact of hearing loss on working-aged individualsExpanded from the print edition

By Dale Tylor, MD, MPH, Washington Hospital, Fremont, CA, Media and Public Relations Committee May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise public awareness about hearing and speech issues as well as available treatment options. This year we are focusing on the impact of hearing loss as related to age, from infants and children to working-age adults to the elderly. Otolaryngologists treat hearing loss in patients of all ages, helping to mitigate the impact hearing loss can have on one’s quality of life. You can learn more about Better Hearing and Speech Month online at www.entnet.org/BetterHearingSpeechMonth.. The most common chronic sensory disorder in adults is hearing impairment, and it impacts about 16 percent of Americans aged 20-69 in at least one ear, totaling more than 29 million people in this country. Risk factors for hearing loss include male gender, Caucasian race, and history of smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and noise exposure, with increasing education being protective.1 The impact of hearing loss on employment and income is marked. Compared with peers with normal hearing, those with hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed or partially employed (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2), more likely to have no wage income whatsoever (adjusted odds ratio, 2.5), and have a lower annual wage by almost $8,000 ($23,481 vs. $31,272), but not be more likely to receive Supplemental Security Income.2 Those with hearing loss may be looked over for a promotion or raise, and may be less comfortable with advocating for themselves at the workplace. Psychomotor speed and executive function can be impaired with hearing loss in later middle age, to the extent that a drop of 25 dB in hearing was equivalent to an age difference of seven years. Hearing aids seem to improve cognitive function scores of those with hearing loss.3 It can be difficult to remember something that wasn’t heard correctly in the first place. Hearing loss can have a dramatic negative impact on one’s relationship with their significant other. It has been demonstrated that the hearing loss of a spouse can be predictive of poorer physical, psychological, and social well being in their partner, and this seems to be even more prominent when the male partner is the one with the hearing loss.4 Men in their 20s to 50s with acquired bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, when compared to normal hearing men, have poorer sexual health in all domains examined including erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.5 Otolaryngologists should question patients about their hearing, even when it is not their presenting complaint. Diagnosing this problem, and treating it, can lead to dramatic improvements in the patient’s (and their loved ones) socioeconomic status and quality of life. References Agrawal Y, Platz EA, Niparko JK. Risk factors for hearing loss in US adults: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2002. Otol Neurotol. 2009 Feb 30(2):139-145. Jung D, Bhattacharyya N. Association of hearing loss with decreased employment and income among adults in the United States. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2012 Dec: 121(12):771-775. Lin FR. Hearing loss and cognition among older adults in the United States. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2011 Oct 66(10):1131-1136. Wallhagen MI et al. Impact of self-assessed hearing loss on a spouse: a longitudinal analysis of couples. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2004 May 59(3):S190-196. Bakir S, et al. Relationship between hearing loss and sexual dysfunction. J Laryngol Otol. 2013 Feb 127(2):142-147.

The real cost of hearing loss on infants and childrenExpanded from the print edition

By Dale Tylor, MD, MPH, Washington Hospital, Fremont, CA, Media and Public Relations Committee May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise public awareness about hearing and speech issues as well as available treatment options. This year we are focusing on the impact of hearing loss as related to age, from infants and children to working-age adults to the elderly. Otolaryngologists treat hearing loss in patients of all ages, helping to mitigate the impact hearing loss can have on one’s quality of life. You can learn more about Better Hearing and Speech Month online at www.entnet.org/BetterHearingSpeechMonth. In the United States, two to three of every 1,000 children born have a detectable hearing loss in at least one ear. Further, more than 1 million children ages 1 to 19 years have bilateral mild-to-severe hearing loss, and around 3 million children have unilateral mild-to-severe hearing loss.1 Hearing loss in children can cause significant language impairments. Because educational success is substantially impacted by a child’s language and communications skills, those with hearing loss face significant academic challenges. The behavioral effects of hearing loss can mimic attention deficit disorders, cognitive or learning issues, or language processing problems. The lifetime educational cost per child of moderate or worse hearing loss in the absence of other disabilities is $115,600.2 Even children with unilateral hearing losses face significant language deficits, and have been found to have lower scores of language comprehension and oral expression than their normal hearing siblings.3 Those with unilateral loss or mild bilateral hearing loss also face educational impacts, with up to 35 percent failing a grade and up to 41 percent receiving educational assistance.4 School-aged children with hearing loss report significantly more fatigue than their normal hearing peers, which also can have negative academic and psychosocial effects.5 Parents of children with hearing impairment also are affected, and have been found to have impairment in almost all domains of health-related quality of life.6 Health disparities have been noted for children with hearing loss, with hearing services more limited for children from racial and socioeconomic minorities. Those in areas of lower median income and those of non-white or non-Asian minorities are less likely to receive cochlear implants, for example, and even when implanted can demonstrate worse speech and language outcomes. It should be noted that universal neonatal hearing screening and school-related screening programs have significantly improved detection of pediatric hearing loss, allowing for earlier treatment. Rehabilitation of hearing loss, such as with hearing aid(s), cochlear implant(s), speech therapy, or with individualized education plans, can help to positively impact the quality of life of these children. References NIH/NIDCD. Statistical Report: Prevalence of Hearing Loss in U.S. Children, 2005. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/funding/programs/hb/outcomes/Pages/report.aspx Grosse SD. Education cost savings from early detection of hearing loss: new findings. Volta Voices. 2007;14:38-40. Lieu JEC, et al. Unilateral Hearing Loss Is Associated With Worse Speech-Language Scores in Children. 2010 Jun; 125(6):e1348-1355. Tharpe AM. Unilateral and Mild Bilateral Hearing Loss in Children: Past and Current Perspectives. Trends Amplif. 2008 Mar; 12(1):7-15. Hornsby BW, et al. Subjective fatigue in children with hearing loss: some preliminary findings. Am J Audiol. 2014 Mar; 23(1):129-134. Aras I, et al. Health related quality of life in parents of children with speech and hearing impairment. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Feb;78(20):323-329.

Why Dallas?

Dallas is the perfect choice for exceptional meetings, boasting the title of America’s best sports city, the nation’s largest urban arts district, the best shopping in the Southwest, 14 exciting entertainment districts, a vibrant dining scene, impressive accommodations, and stellar meeting spaces. With more than $15 billion in new development, Dallas is destined to be a city of innovation, excitement, and success for years to come. Easy accessibility Easily accessible from all major United States cities as well as Mexico, Latin America, and Canada. Less than four hours by air from any North American city. Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) International Airport services 38 international destinations with nonstop flights—nearly 2,000 flights daily. Major airline hub with locally-based American Airlines as its largest carrier in the world. Airports Council International survey ranks DFW “Best Airport in North America” for customer service. Dallas Love Field Airport, one of the finest general-purpose airports in the world, served by Southwest Airlines, the largest domestic carrier in the United States. Not far from anywhere Atlanta, GA 2 hours Boston, MA 3 ½ hours Chicago, IL 2 hours, 20 minutes Cincinnati, OH 2 hours, 10 minutes Grand Rapids, MI 2 hours, 20 minutes Los Angeles, CA 3 hours, 20 minutes Miami, FL 2 hours, 45 minutes New Orleans, LA 1 hour, 20 minutes New York, NY 3 hours, 30 minutes Philadelphia, PA 3 hours San Francisco, CA 4 hours Seattle, WA 4 hours, 15 minutes Destination appeal The Dallas-Fort Worth area is the No. 1 destination in Texas. DART—one of the nation’s fastest-growing rail lines with the longest light rail system in the United States. Cosmopolitan, 14 entertainment districts, Western heritage culture, and more. Nightlife and entertainment From clubs, pubs, lounges, and roof-top patios to the No. 1 shopping destination in the Southwest. Top-tier golf courses, public parks, lakes, and reservoirs within the Dallas area. Home to five professional sports teams. World-class dining More than 9,000 restaurants in the DFW area. Famous celebrity chefs include Dean Fearing, Stephan Pyles, Wolfgang Puck, and Kent Rathbun. Join us in Dallas for this world-class event!

OTO EXPO℠: Happy trails to Dallas!

Not only is the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO℠ the premier event for our specialty, it’s now an award-winning event! Trade Show Executive recently named the OTO EXPO℠ one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Shows of 2014, a testament to the increasing number of companies that exhibit at our show. For you, this means even more access to the latest technologies and products. If you attend only one trade show this year, make it the award-winning OTO EXPO℠, where more exhibitors mean more value. Hours This year allows attendees more opportunities to visit the OTO EXPO℠. We listened to our attendees requesting more time to be able to visit the OTO EXPO℠ and have responded. The OTO EXPO℠ will now be open Sunday and Monday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Tuesday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Food Dallas is a world-renowned food destination that attendees and exhibitors can experience on the OTO EXPO℠ hall floor! The OTO EXPO℠ will host concession stands offering fresh and locally sourced food with high-quality ingredients to enjoy. Every full conference or daily registrant will receive meal voucher(s) with their registration materials to be redeemed at any of the concession stands in the exhibit hall during OTO EXPO℠ hours, Sunday through Tuesday. Some of the food destinations to enjoy include sushi, grab-and-go sandwiches, tacos, and carving stations featuring top round steak, roasted potatoes, and vegetables. New products Every year our exhibitors introduce new products in the OTO EXPO℠ and this year won’t be any different. This year there will be new releases of laryngeal instruments, retractors, stapes prostheses, and needle holders. The list of new-to-the-market medical devices includes septal plugs, strobolights, stroboscopes, touch audiometers, and a device designed to eliminate acid reflux into the throat and lungs. On the technical side there will be new virtual medical scribes, apps for education charts, and neurostimulation-based therapy for the treatment of tinnitus. All of these items are created to improve your practice and aid you in providing the very best in patient care. You have to see it to believe it. Hands-On Training and the Product Theater Returning is the highly successful Hands-On Training venue and our Product Theater. Last year was the first time for our Hands-On Training venue and it was an amazing success. Hands-on Training on the OTO EXPO℠ floor provides you with the best product training opportunity in otolaryngology. These two-hour training sessions allow participants to preview the newest innovations in otolaryngology surgical tools on cadaveric specimens. Space is limited for this unique opportunity. The AAO-HNSF Product Theater is your opportunity to extend your learning beyond the classroom with AAO-HNSF corporate sponsors. Review recent scientific studies and information or watch a live demonstration performed by a leader in the field. Sessions are booked in conjunction with OTO EXPOSM hours and will be prominently displayed around the Exhibit Hall. Contact David Buckner at dbuckner@entnet.org or 703-535-3718 for more information on these two venues. Ready to register? Visit www.entannualmeeting.org to register now and for the most current information on the 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO℠.

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