Session Speakers
Session Description
The Auditory System: Cochlea to Cortex
Approximately 29 million out of 38 million American adults with hearing loss are untreated or under-treated; frequently with a delay of 10 years or more to addressing hearing loss. Another 26 million American adults have hearing difficulty but have a normal hearing test. Traditional hearing care is failing. It is imperative that we improve timely and accurate diagnostic and treatment information needed to optimize hearing. Hearing loss is associated with communication difficulties, lower health- related quality of life, higher healthcare costs , and decreased physical and cognitive function. This course will explore how understanding the entire auditory system, cochlea to cortex may shed light on what we are missing in traditional hearing healthcare.
Session Objectives
After attending this activity, attendees will be able to:
1. Describe how our focus on the peripheral auditory system does not capture real world hearing difficulties
2. Describe the difference between a peripheral/diagnostic view of hearing loss vs an auditory-cognitive/processing view of hearing loss
3. List how the auditory-cognitive/processing view can close the significant gap between those who need hearing help and those who receive hearing help