TOPIC: Hearing loss can be key factor in cognitive health.

Lori Serafino-Harper – Manager of Audiology, Speech & AAC & Terri Dean – Terri Dean, Audiologist

Hugh Learmonth introduced guest speakers, Lori Serafino-Harper and Terri Dean, both Audiologists working at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. Catharines. Lori has been employed at Shaver since 1991 and since 2018 has been manager of audiology, speech and AAC. Terri joined Shaver in 2010.

Lori gave us a quick history of the only rehabilitation facility in the Region. She pointed out that plans are in the works to expand the facility with a new building to be erected behind the present building which was constructed in 1930.

The Hotel Dieu Shaver facility treats 1200 inpatient admissions and over 25,000 total outpatients every year. They have 134 beds, 520 employees, 33 medical staff and three full-time audiologists. Lori said they treat high and low intensity rehabilitation patients, short term cases and end-of-life situations.

She said the name of the facility changed in 2005 when Shaver and Hotel Dieu combined and the governance and management was assumed by Hotel Dieu Hospital.

The audiology department, which was established in 1972, oversees all patients with hearing deficiencies. When testing indicates that a patient requires hearing aids, they are assisted in determining which type is best suited for their needs. The audiology department can sell the hearing aids and then provides three years of follow-up service to make sure the patient is getting the best results possible.

Terri focused on the auditory system with a short video, explaining how the ear works, or why it doesn’t work. She said that there are different types of hearing loss and each type requires unique approaches. Tinnitus is a condition causing internal sounds or buzzing and is not treatable. Intervention with testing can determine what type of hearing

loss is involved and what type of hearing aid will be best suited to help the person. There are many different hearing devices to choose from when that time comes. Terri went on to talk about hearing loss prevention. Some types of hearing loss are caused by external conditions, and you should avoid noisy and polluted surroundings and try to live a healthy lifestyle.

Terri stressed the importance of intervention as hearing loss is a risk factor tied to cognitive health including social isolation and dementia. She also mentioned the statistic that people with hearing loss fall 2.5 times more frequently than normal.

The speakers fielded a number of queries during a Question-and-Answer period before Duncan McLaren thanked them for a very informative presentation.

Click here for video of this presenation