From Genomic Testing and Cell Therapies for Hearing Loss, Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, Reviews & Education, to the Latest on OTC Hearing Aids – don’t miss the September/October 2022 Issue

ENT and Audiology News brings providers regular features and articles from contributors from around the globe; both the regular section editors and invited guest editors use their experience, expertise and interests to deliver the most relevant topics to today’s providers. Check out the regular features with news from around the world, journal, internet and book reviews, hands-on technical guides, product reviews, opinions on training and of course their famous course and events directory – where you’ll find information about this year’s Florida Combined Otolaryngology Meeting, happening at The Boca Raton, November 11-13!

Interested in checking it out? CLICK HERE to read the digital issue

Produced in Edinburgh, Scotland, ENT & Audiology News is a bi-monthly magazine, as well as online channel, that forges links between the ENT and audiology professions internationally. First-class articles are combined with conference news; book, journal and tech reviews, as well as all the latest news from the industry.

Now in its 30^th year and with readers in over 140 countries worldwide, this award-winning title has become essential reading for the profession and the platform of choice for companies wishing to reach the profession globally. Register for the print issue (free within the UK) or digital issue (free worldwide) and our monthly eNewsletter at: https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/register/

Join the brightest minds in ENT, head and neck surgery, facial plastic surgery, allergy, sleep, medical audiology and more for the 26th Annual Florida Combined Otolaryngology Meeting.

The primary event will take place in-person at the 200-acre, newly renovated, luxury resort property, The Boca Raton, located in Boca Raton, Florida, Nov. 11-13. The virtual meeting takes place the same dates, and based on feedback from last year’s attendees, will have on-demand, self-paced access through the end of November.

The FCOM2022 agenda features some of the brightest minds in ear, nose and throat medicine, head and neck surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, allergy, sleep, and medical audiology. Importantly, it will provide all participants with the opportunity to learn, connect and create lasting professional relationships with peers from throughout the U.S. and across the globe.

This modern-format meeting is designed to provide best-in-class engagement and promises to deliver an unparalleled experience that will enable all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors to interact with one another by participating side-by-side during educational offerings, networking, and special events.

With more than 90 unique sessions, panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations, and sponsored events planned, there will be something for everyone. FCOM encourages all professionals involved in any aspect of otolaryngology to register for the event — including otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, allergists, sleep specialists, audiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, audiology assistants, hearing care professionals, clinical and office staff, and students. CME and CEU credits are available.

Best meeting I’ve ever attended as a provider. What a difference it makes being at a conference with providers outside the field of audiology. Learning, networking and spending time in the expo hall with otolaryngologists, neuro-otologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and even the clinical and business folks really broadened my perspective on the topics presented.

John, AuD | FCOM Attendee 2021

Agenda Highlights | The opportunities for engagement are endless.

Below are a few examples of what is in store:

• Specialty Technology Sessions, a medical-industry session, pairs engineers and other thought-leaders — from industrial partners actively developing new tools for the otolaryngology community — with leading physicians who have pioneered their use clinically.
• The otology-medical audiology sessions will feature constructive interaction — geared toward collaboration and learning — among a cross section of providers focused on hearing challenges. This will include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, audiologists, audiology assistants and hearing care providers. Plus, there will be an industry-intensive session that will focus on future developments hearing and related disorders.
• For those in the field of obstructive sleep apnea, FCOM2022 will take an immersive look into this specialty — not only from the perspective of leading U.S. sleep apnea surgeons, but also from the viewpoint of those engineering pioneers and executives at the forefront of neuromodulation techniques and other technologic advancements in this field.
• A special session is in store for the facial plastic surgery community with the world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif, star of E!’s plastic surgery reality show “Botched” — which is sure to provide invaluable insight on how the specialty is viewed by the public.
• Special networking events are in place to increase access to our expert speakers and guests, all attendees are invited to attend the Friday Evening Margaritaville Speaker Event, EXPO Product Theatre Sessions, Interactive Exhibitor Activities, the Saturday Pre-game Tailgate Lunch Event and our 2^nd Annual Resident Bowl.

No matter your role within a company, CEO, administrator, clinical director to an entry-level position, soft skills are essential in helping you thrive in the workplace. They are so important that when something isn’t working or feels off, it is often rooted in a soft skillset vs. a technical skill mishap.  They are used and beneficial in any company, in any industry. If you find yourself with new work responsibility or the chance for one, soft skills are often one of the drivers for your newfound success, the reason you were hired, or why someone is trying to recruit you into a position.  #KnowYourStrengths #UnderstandYourWeaknesses #DoTheWork 

Here are some of the top soft skills that recruiters, hiring managers and business owners are looking for to drive success in a remote work environment:

• Accountability: Take responsibility for outcomes. This could be for an action you’ve done yourself, participated in as a team and most importantly, for your direct reports. The buck stops here – and you are the here.
• Assertiveness: Be confident in yourself and allow yourself the grace to not always be right. Don’t let fear of being wrong stop you from sharing and participating.  Acting courageous and enthusiastic with your communications and actions isn’t always easy, and it is often necessary. And don’t forget to balance your newfound assertiveness with respect, it will take you and your good work farther.  If you need to fake it till you become it, practice. 
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Do not be afraid to ask for help or to help others. Some tasks are better done together and partnering can get work done faster. Combine your efforts and resources toward a common goal and be respectful of others if they have a different viewpoint or method of getting a job done. In some instances, you may need to compromise. In others, do not be afraid to swallow your pride if the task gets completed in the desired outcome. It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets credit.
• Conflict Management: Maintaining a healthy relationship with your coworkers is crucial to have a productive work environment. Conflict management is a skillset that helps you compromise and resolve disagreements in a respectful manner. Don’t let little things build up into big issues, and work to solve misunderstandings on a one-to-one basis first, in-person, video chat or over the phone – not in email or text.  
• Practical: Have calm, commonsense thinking. Think realistically when it comes to goals and outcomes and the time it will take to reach them. Setting unrealistic goals in unrealistic timeframes to often leads to failure and disappointment. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dream and push, if simply means that big visions need a level of practically to come true. 
• Creativity: Think, do, and express in ways that are outside of the box. This could be by creating new design ideas, processes or simply variations of current techniques to get tasks done. 
• Critical Thinking: Think in a disciplined manner that is clear, rational, open minded, and evidence based. Looking at problems from different points of view often opens new paths to solutions.  Take the side you disagree with most and argue for it – exercises like that will open your mind and allow you to determine options more openly.
• Enriching Others: Give positive reinforcement and support to those around you. Help create a healthy positive work environment. Be accepting of other’s differences. Mostly, find ways to contribute to the greater good of a project and others.
• Problem Solving: Hone the ability to identify obstacles. Discuss, analyze, and solve for challenges in both conventional and unconventional ways. 
• Productivity: Set and meet goals. Work hard but smart. Prioritize, plan, and manage tasks to knock them out of the way and to achieve your best results.
• Relationship Management: Build relationships with those around you. Be aware of their emotions and take them into consideration if they’re having a bad or unsuccessful day. Stop the often-natural tendency to think the worst and give everyone the benefit of the doubt.  You’ll appreciate it when they do the same for you.
• Self-Assessment: Self-reflect. Determine your strengths and limitations. See where you would add value to a situation or where you could improve and reach out for help. Often understanding your biggest weakness
• Service Orientation: Anticipate and meet people’s often unspoken needs. This can be done by helping them, introducing them to products, or services. Strive to achieve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Show them how you stand out from other places by being attentive and insightful. 
• Stress Tolerance: Be able to endure pressure and uncertainty without becoming negative toward self or others. Be able to handle fast-pace or changing environments or excessive workloads through proper management methods. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when needed. 

As you read that list, did any skills resonate as talents you feel you may already possess?  How about those that stick out as opportunities for improvement? First, you should identify the soft skills you naturally align with or that you feel you already have mastered. These should appear under Strengths on your resume, during interviews, and as you look for ways to add value to your current team. 

Are you uncertain about what these might be? It’s sometimes hard to understand your strengths, particularly if it is something that comes more naturally.  A good way to identify the skills that should already be listed in your Strengths Column is to ask your current or former boss, talk with coworkers and close friends or take online assessments. Next, to strengthen the skills you feel are important but may lack mastery, read about them, inquire about training that may be available through your current job, or even take an online class. There are many online or in-person classes that vary in length and depth. It is also useful to interview someone who has the skill or skills you’re hoping to start working on. There is a lot to learn from those that are already practicing what you hope to develop.

If your patients have uttered these words recently, they are not alone.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion young adults are at risk for hearing loss[1] and there are an estimated 37.5 million adults in the USA who report some trouble hearing.[2] Additionally, with the majority of people in America wearing masks/face coverings due to COVID-19, it has created communications challenges even for those without hearing loss.

New hearing challenges in a pandemic

The face coverings worn throughout the pandemic, as well as plexiglass partitions and social distancing, have made it difficult to hear others. It is estimated that different types of facemasks attenuate everyday speech sounds by as much as 10-15 decibels.[3] This is like having a mild hearing loss, meaning people realized very quickly what it was like to suddenly have difficulty communicating each day.

Indeed, throughout the pandemic your patients likely noticed that listening was no longer easy.  Sorting out words and filling in the “missing” parts of a sentence from a loved one, colleague, or friend became difficult and tiring. Even those with otherwise normal hearing levels likely understood what it was like to have hearing loss, finding it more difficult to understand others than before. 

Discussing hearing loss

Given the widespread hearing challenges, now is the perfect time to have a conversation with your patients about their hearing. How can you begin? Try asking about their experiences during the pandemic, and if they can recognize instances before the pandemic when they had difficulty hearing or understanding conversations. And as face mask restrictions continue to ease up, you can ask them if they have any challenges when communicating even when speaking to people who aren’t wearing masks.

You can also bring up the following example, which illustrates how simple misunderstandings can be an early sign of hearing loss. For instance, your spouse or significant other may say “Please go and get my keys,” but you might hear “Please go and get some bees.” This demonstrates how quickly communications can break down by mis-hearing just one word. Given the many conversations that happen throughout the day – at home, in work meetings, at the grocery store, and even when watching TV – these simple misunderstandings can add up and cause a great deal of frustration. If left untreated, hearing loss can lead to more serious conditions, such as social isolation and even increase your risk for dementia. Unfortunately, many people with hearing loss

choose to avoid social situations out of fear of embarrassment or frustration by not being able to participate in a conversation. 

New technology delivers an enhanced hearing experience

What can patients do to address their hearing loss? The first step is to get their hearing baseline checked by an Audiologist. You’ll also want to let them know that hearing loss shouldn’t stop or limit them from going out and enjoying life again – especially as life gets back to normal! We were stuck inside for too long to miss out on any more fun, and with proper hearing treatment, they can hear all the sounds around them like never before.

Of course, some patients may be nervous about wearing hearing aids and even getting a hearing test. You can help calm their nerves by explaining the process and the wonders of today’s hearing technology.

Make sure to let them know that today’s audiology consultation involves a lot of cool tech and listening experiences that are NOT anything like the hearing aids of the past. Today’s technology like that from Widex, a 60+ year old Danish tech company, includes the WIDEX MOMENT, the smallest rechargeable receiver-in-the canal device with Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. The WIDEX MOMENT hearing device is fully automatic and can learn how wearers like to hear/listen and adapt to their unique preferences over time with My Sound. 

The sound quality from WIDEX MOMENT is one of the most coveted natural sound experiences, thanks to ZeroDelay technology that delivers the fastest processing time in the industry and eliminates the artificial sound experienced with other devices. No matter how they like to spend their time,  wearers can enjoy it with their individual listening preferences, from listening to their favorite music to enjoying social activities. 

If they still aren’t convinced about the benefits for checking and treating their hearing loss, you may want to mention how 91% of the adults who tried the new WIDEX MOMENT could now participate in life once again![4]  

The time to act is now

To help your patients hear like they used to and live life to the fullest, be sure to refer any patients with hearing loss to your practice’s Audiologists. To learn more about Widex, visit: https://www.widexpro.com/en-us/

[1] World Health Organization. (2021, April 1). Deafness and hearing loss. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

[2] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2021, March 25). Quick Statistics About Hearing. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing

[3] Corey RM, Jones U, Singer AC. Acoustic effects of medical, cloth, and transparent face masks on speech signals. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 148, 2371 (2020).

[4]Balling LW, Townend O, Helmink D. Sound quality in real life–Not just for experts. Hearing Review. 2021;28(2):27-30.(2):27-30.

Diabetes and hearing loss are two of America’s most widespread chronic health concerns. More than 34 million people in the US have diabetes, and an estimated 34.5 million have some type of hearing loss. Those are large segments of patients, and it appears there is a lot of overlap between the two groups. 

Studies continue to reveal a correlation between diabetes and the increased risk for hearing and balance disorders. A recent study found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as it is in those who don’t have the disease. What is even more alarming is what may be happening in the prediabetic segment. Of the 88 million adults in the U.S. who have prediabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30 percent higher than in those with normal blood glucose. Often we ask patients about their history, and if they have diabetes may be in the list of questions we run through; however as providers evaluating a patient’s hearing and balance, it’s important to dig a little deeper. When is the last time we inquired about prediabetes? And on top of a more robust history, the more we understand about the basics of the disease, the better we will do as we manage their care over their lifetime. 

Blocking and tackling – understanding the basics of Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

So, what is important to know out of the gate about Type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes happens at every age and in individuals of every race, shape, and size. Basically, the key message is that in type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the carbohydrates we eat into blood sugar, called blood glucose, and uses for it for energy.  Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells of the body, where it can do its work. This condition can usually be managed with a lifestyle of proper diet and exercise. Insulin therapy and other lifestyle related treatments and long-term habits can lead to successful management of this condition.

Understanding Type 2

Type 2 diabetes is the most common and instead of not producing insulin, the body doesn’t use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetics can sometimes manage their disease with healthy eating and exercise, others more often, patients require medication or insulin to help manage it.

When managing a patient with diabetes, there are often a lot of players on the field.  The patient is the most important one on the team, as they are responsible for new habits and sometimes a new medication to successfully address the issues.   As a provider, getting to know the other players, communicating and collaborating on care is really important to the team’s star, as the more support a person has, be easier it is to stay on track.

Let’s get to know the different kinds of health care providers who can be part of the diabetes management team.

These can include the professionals listed below, but keep in mind, this team is broad. Talking with your patient to understand who is involved in their care is key to getting the entire picture of who is in the know, and helping with the overall management of your patient’s health.

• Primary Care Provider: the general practitioner physician or mid-level provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant provides the routine medical care, including physical exams, lab tests and prescriptions for medication.
• Endocrinologist: this physician specializes in diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system, when things get tough, they call in the big dawgs.  This team is the specialist.
• Ophthalmologist or Optometrist: Just as hearing is impacted by this disease, so are the eyes.  The medical physician or Doctor of Optometry both can play a part in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and any related eye diseases and disorders.
• Podiatrist: The foot doctor jumps in when circulation to the lower extremities is impaired.  The podiatrist is trained to treat feet and lower leg problems.
• Pharmacist: Everyone has a job here; the local pharmacist often is the one who sees the big picture when it comes to patients and their medications.  They keep an eye how they interact with each other.
• Dentist: Diabetes impacts our oral care too.  The patient’s dentist is an important player, keeping tabs on our patient’s teeth and gums.
• Registered Nurse: Often there is an RN that is overseeing chronic care management and coordinating the patient’s visits to multiple providers.  They can really make the difference for our patients and asking if there is someone in the primary care office that provides an extra hand is a good habit to get into when taking this patient’s history.
• Registered Dietitian: Being an expert in nutrition, the registered dietitian an important part of the team.  They are often advising our patients about the best foods that help manage blood sugar.
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist:  Certified Diabetes Educators have extensive training and experience working with people with diabetes.  They are coach our patients about from manage the things you need to do to take care of your diabetes, in a way that fits with your daily life, routines, environment and family dynamics. To work with an expert in a diabetes education program recognized by the American Diabetes Association, visit diabetes.org/findaprogram or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) to find a program in your community.
• Mental Health Professional: This person may be a psychiatrist (MD or DO), psychologist (PhD) or clinical social worker (LCSW or LISW). These professionals can help you deal with the day-to-day challenges of living with diabetes as well as more serious emotional issues. Be sure to work with a mental health professional who understands diabetes and the medicine and insulin you are taking that may affect your blood sugar.
• Fitness Professional: A physical activity specialist may be an exercise physiologist, personal trainer or physical therapist. These professionals can help you find exercises that are safe for you, and ensure you get the most out of your exercise program. Be sure to work with a fitness professional who understands diabetes and the medicine and insulin you are taking that may affect your blood sugar.
• It is important to choose diabetes care team members who can provide the level of support you want and provide help when you need it. The more information you can give when you get help, the easier it is for someone to assist you. Be sure to write down questions and concerns to bring with you to your appointments.

Check out the CDC brochure that talks Ears and Diabetes – and suggests ways to prevent the negative outcomes of hearing and balance impairments. Download a quick reference here! https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/library/Diabetes-Ears-h.pdf

While excellent clinicians will always be in high demand, the definition of excellent is expanding far beyond having top-notch, specialty-based capabilities.   Most young healthcare providers have the technical knowledge and quickly develop the clinical skills they need for their role; however, many even more experienced professionals continue to need training when it comes to complex problem solving, teamwork, conflict management, business understanding, communication and leadership, known as behavioral or soft skills. These skills are harder to acquire and are learned through life and work experience versus a textbook. 

All medical providers deal with many challenges every day.  The real-life situations involve trying to adapt to constant change, prioritizing our time, learning to listen & collaborate in a team and understanding how to communicate our ideas, findings, and recommendations in a compelling way. However, most of us were never truly taught how to properly go about handling these situations. Even in other professions, roles that require high social skills like sales, leadership, project management, and marketing have seen an increased focus on the importance of heightened behavioral skills.  In 2020, healthcare providers managed changes from the in-person, traditional care model to more non-traditional professional and patient care environments, like telemedicine and remote practice. During this time, they discovered or were reminded just how important the ability to empathize, actively listen, communicate and collaborate is to the success of the patient. A basic lesson: it is never too late to work on your communication skills.

Numerous research studies have shown that no matter how knowledgeable a provider might be, if they are not able to open communication channels with other medical colleagues, their teams and patients, they may be of no help to anyone.  A patient’s perception of the quality of the care they receive is highly dependent on the quality of the interaction with their healthcare provider.  Yet, communication training for physicians and other providers historically has received far less attention in training and mentorship programs. 

Here are six reasons why communication skills really matter for providers.

• The history-taking aspect of a patient interview is critical to diagnostic decisions. When multiple providers are involved in the same patient visit, the opportunity for incomplete data and interruptions is higher, which can compromise the information.
• A patient’s adherence to recommendations is directly impacted by effective patient-provider communication.  There are examples of this in every medical specialty; motivational interviewing was grown out of this basic concern. 
• Patient satisfaction is impacted by realistic expectations, having the opportunity to express their ideas & concerns, the length of their appointment, the provider team in which they have interacted with and their perception of continuity of care among many others.  Communication lives at the core of each of these elements. 
• Patient Safety requires that all the members of a health care team communicate effectively, or medical errors increase, and patient care often suffers.
• The leading cause of most malpractice claims is a breakdown in communication. CRICO Strategies reviewed 23,000 medical malpractice lawsuits filed between 2009 and 2013.  Communication failures were a contributing factor in over 30% of those cases.
• Overall healthcare team satisfaction is impacted when providers do not feel supported, valued, and listened to in the work environment.  The quality of communication breaks down further when working relationships are not maintained.  There is a direct relationship between the provider’s satisfaction and their ability to build rapport with their patients.

There are strong relationships between a provider’s communication skills and a patient’s capacity to follow through with medical recommendations. The clinician’s ability to listen and empathize can have a significant impact on patient outcomes and satisfaction. Further, communication among providers & their teams influence working relationships, job satisfaction and can easily impact patient safety. Keep in mind, just like technical training and book knowledge, softer skills, like communication, can be improved upon through practice.