Bridging Hearing and Cognition: Evidence Based Counseling in Everyday Practice (On-Demand)-Bridging Hearing and Cognition: Evidence Based Counseling in Everyday Practice (On-Demand)

Bridging Hearing and Cognition: Evidence Based Counseling in Everyday Practice (On-Demand)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, led by audiologist and cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Hannah Glick, focused on how hearing healthcare providers can talk about hearing loss and cognitive health in a way that supports, rather than frightens, patients. She reviewed evidence showing that hearing loss is strongly associated with cognitive decline, dementia, and brain changes, while emphasizing that association is not the same as causation. She also discussed research suggesting hearing treatment may benefit some higher-risk individuals, though results are not definitive for everyone.<br /><br />A major theme was avoiding fear-based messaging, which often leads patients to withdraw rather than seek care. Dr. Glick explained psychological models of threat, efficacy, and stages of change to show why messaging matters. She introduced the AMER framework: Ask, Inform, Manage, Encourage, and Refer, as a practical tool for counseling.<br /><br />Two case studies illustrated how to apply this framework with different patients: a motivated working adult overwhelmed by listening effort, and an older adult with possible cognitive red flags and hearing aid adherence challenges. The session concluded that hearing care is central to overall health and may play an important role in supporting brain health and independence across the lifespan.

Keywords

hearing loss

cognitive health

dementia

audiology counseling

brain health

fear-based messaging

AMER framework

hearing healthcare

cognitive decline