Ask the Experts | Hearing & Hearing Loss | Neural Slowing Neural Slowing Donald J. Schum, PhD, CCC-A March 14, 2011 Print Question I've heard the term "neural slowing" used in aging literature. What exactly does this mean? Answer The neural slowing hypothesis proposes that age-related declines in neural processing speed may underlie a broad range of cognitive deficits in older persons. The aging neurological system does not operate as quickly and efficiently as it has in the past. When you consider the cognitive implications of aging, and how older persons perform tasks, it doesn't appear that long term memory or linguistic issues are at play but rather the ability for things to happen quickly within the nervous system seems to slow down. As you know the auditory system requires a lot of synchronized and rapid firing. Good ABR waveforms result from a lot of highly synchronized, very rapid responses of the auditory nervous system in response to acoustic stimuli. The neural slowing hypothesis explains that neural events don't happen as rapidly, hence the reason why short term memory is affected, sensorimotor reaction time slows, and why processing and decision speed are decreased as we age. Editor's note: This Ask the Expert was taken from Dr. Schum's recorded course Providing Amplification to the Aging Auditory System, which examines aging from an audiological and cognitive perspective, and discusses the implications for clinical practice. To register to view the recorded course, please visit: www.audiologyonline.com/ceus/recordedcoursedetails.asp?class_id=17615Don Schum currently serves as Vice President for Audiology & Professional Relations for Oticon, Inc. Previous to his position at Oticon in Somerset, Don served as the Director of Audiology for the main Oticon office in Copenhagen Denmark. In addition, he served as the Director of the Hearing Aid Lab at the University of Iowa School of Medicine (1990-1995) and as an Assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (1988-1990). During his professional career, Dr. Schum has been an active researcher in the areas of Hearing Aids, Speech Understanding, and Outcome Measures. ( B.S. in Speech & Hearing Science, University of Illinois;M.A. in Audiology, University of Iowa;Ph.D. in Audiology, Louisiana State University. Donald J. Schum, PhD, CCC-A Vice President of Audiology and Professional Relations Don Schum currently serves as Vice President for Audiology & Professional Relations for Oticon, Inc. Previous to his position at Oticon in Somerset, Don served as the Director of Audiology for the main Oticon office in Copenhagen Denmark. In addition, he served as the Director of the Hearing Aid Lab at the University of Iowa, School of Medicine (1990-1995) and as an Assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (1988-1990). During his professional career, Dr. Schum has been an active researcher in the areas of Hearing Aids, Speech Understanding, and Outcome Measures. (B.S. in Speech & Hearing Science, University of Illinois M.A. in Audiology, University of Iowa Ph.D. in Audiology, Louisiana State University.) Related Courses Presenter Sheena Oliver, AuD, MBA The Now Effect: Taking The First Step [Recorded Course] Course: #19514 CEUs/Hours Offered: AAA/0.1 Intermediate; ACAud/0.1; AHIP/1.0; BAA/1.0; CAA/1.0; Calif. HADB/1.0 Hearing Aid Related; IHS/1.0 Cost: Free to View An Oticon-initiated multi-national survey of 750 potential first time users provided insight to the way potential users seek out information. This material provides insight into an initiative of awareness and motivation for patients to seek hearing care. The nature of our approach will be discussed in this course. Course Details Presenters Don Schum, PhD Julie Neel Weile, MA Thomas Behrens, MSc New Insights into First-time Users [Text/Transcript Course] Course: #19968 CEUs/Hours Offered: AAA/0.3 Intermediate; ACAud/3.0; BAA/3.0; CAA/3.0; Calif. HADB/3.0 Hearing Aid Related; IHS/3.0; Kansas DHE, LTS-S0035/3.0 Cost: Free to View Many patients who could use amplification choose not to. In this course, new data that uncovers the reasons for this reluctance will be presented. Further, the initial experiences of those who are fit for the first time may be different than what is expected by many audiologists. Changes in technology and fitting practices may offer patients benefits sooner than is traditional with a reduced level of side effects. These observations are important when considering techniques to motivate the reluctant patient to consider trial use of amplification. This seminar will examine potential changes in patient counseling to address the concerns and expected experiences of first time users. Course Details Presenters Sheena Oliver, AuD, MBA Mary Porath, AuD Nancy Palmere David Roback, MEd Attracting First-time Users: An Insight-based Marketing Approach [Text/Transcript Course] Course: #19793 CEUs/Hours Offered: AAA/0.2 Intermediate; ACAud/2.0; AHIP/2.0; BAA/2.0; CAA/2.0; Calif. HADB/2.0 Hearing Aid Related; IHS/2.0; Kansas DHE, LTS-S0035/2.0 Cost: Free to View An Oticon-initiated multi-national survey of 750 potential first time users provided insight to the way potential users seek out information. This material provides insight into how a consumer awareness/motivation campaign can be designed to move as many patients as possible to the point of seeking out hearing care. The nature of the approach used will be discussed. Course Details Presenter Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, PhD Empowering Women to Change Health and Educational Systems for Infants With Hearing Loss and Their Families, Nationally and Internationally [Recorded Course] Course: #19594 CEUs/Hours Offered: AAA/0.1 Intermediate; ACAud/0.1; BAA/1.0; CAA/1.0; IHS/1.0; Kansas DHE, LTS-S0035/1.0 Cost: Free to View This presentation will examine insights from the revolution and evolution of universal newborn hearing screening and early hearing detection and intervention programs. The importance of the role of women in advancing the agenda from the charisma of Marion Downs to the mothers of infants with hearing loss will be discussed. The critical components of success will be identified, such as recognizing when the timing is right, identifying the message for different constituent groups, diversifying methods of delivering the message, including the research data required by the constituents who need to support the agenda, and convincing the masses that it can be done and done well, despite opposition and "naysayers." The "tipping points" that fueled the movement will be highlighted. Course Details Presenter Mary Porath, AuD The Now Effect : Maintaining a Relationship to Build Loyalty [Recorded Course] Course: #19503 CEUs/Hours Offered: AAA/0.1 Intermediate; ACAud/0.1; AHIP/1.0; BAA/1.0; CAA/1.0; Calif. HADB/1.0 Hearing Aid Related; IHS/1.0 Cost: Free to View Once the first time user is fit, there is a desire to ensure that this person continues to receive the greatest benefit possible from amplification. The long-term relationship between the patient and the hearing care practice can go a long way to allow the patient to perform at optimal levels for years to come. The components of an effective long-term patient-provider relationship will be discussed. Course Details
