Baycrest

BrainMatters SPRING/SUMMER 2019 19 clinic, have incorporated general screening for hearing and memory issues into their assessments and have provided educational materials to clients. The next steps for this study will involve optimizing screening strategies for hearing loss in memory assessments and ongoing interprofessional collaborations to create educational tools that counsel clients about the relationship between hearing, memory and brain health. Toronto HEARS Project For some older adults, treatment for hearing loss can be unaffordable. The Toronto HEARS (Hearing Equality through Accessible Research and Solutions) project, a low-cost rehabilitation program, addressed this challenge by providing older adults easier access to affordable hearing care in their community through a pilot in spring 2018. The model, funded through the Baycrest-led Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), is based on a program created at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. Adults in low-income neighbourhoods were offered hearing screenings, followed by education and counselling programs with affordable amplification devices for individuals with mild hearing loss. The project's goal was to offer all adults helpful tools to improve hearing and communication skills, even if they could not afford hearing devices. "As we get older, our brains take longer to process what we hear. Hearing aids can't slow down a person's speech and this is where behavioural communication strategies, like asking people to speak slowly and face you, are very beneficial," explains Reed, who is the project lead. The Toronto HEARS pilot program found that audiologists were successful in reaching and treating individuals who were previously unaware of hearing loss issues. With additional funding, the HEARS program could be expanded across Canada, particularly in underserved, remote communities. Communication Strategies to use with Individuals with Hearing Loss: Optimizing Hearing: • Speak slowly and clearly • Speak slightly louder than normal; do not shout • Keep sentences short and simple • Paraphrase sentences you have to repeat • Eliminate or reduce background noise or music where possible • In groups, have only one speaker at a time Use of Visual Cues: • Face the person to whom you are speaking • Ensure that the room is well-lit and your face is clearly visible to facilitate speech reading • While speaking, keep hands and other objects away from your face. Write key words if necessary. Additional: • Attract the person's attention before speaking • Inform the listener of the topic of conversation and let them know when the topic has changed • Ensure important information has been heard correctly by asking the listener to repeat it back to you (e.g. appointment times; medication instructions) • When in doubt, ask the person how you can help them to understand you better

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