{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"285 Hearing Loss and Brain Health - Why Better Hearing May Aid in Supporting Healthy Longevity with Robert C Keefer PhD","description":"Could difficulty hearing conversations today affect your brain health, independence and quality of life in the years ahead? Hearing loss is often treated as a minor inconvenience of growing older, yet it can affect communication, relationships, social connection, confidence and independence. In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with hearing-health advocate and author Robert \u201cBob\u201d Keefer, MD, about the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, why so many people delay seeking help for hearing deficits and what questions to ask before choosing a hearing-care provider. Listeners will learn how hearing is assessed, why the fitting of a hearing aid matters, and how proactive hearing care may support brain health and healthy longevity. Dr. Gillian also shares her own experience of unequal hearing following a minor head injury, feeling she had no time to follow up, and her decision to arrange a new audiology assessment after this podcast. Bob Keefer,is a physician, hearing-health and Alzheimer\u2019s-prevention advocate, author and former founder of an audiology clinic. After discovering that many hearing-care professionals were not consistently using their profession\u2019s recommended fitting practices, he created a clinic centred on evidence-informed care. His books, Hear Better, Live Longer and The Alzheimer\u2019s Hearing Aid Paradox, explore the relationship between hearing, cognition and quality of life, as well as the importance of properly assessed and fitted hearing aids.  Episode Timeline: 00:11 \u2014 Welcome to Growing Older Living Younger  00:30 \u2014 Why hearing health matters for brain health and independence  04:31 \u2014 Bob Keefer\u2019s path from medical-product consulting to hearing-health advocacy  07:59 \u2014 Why millions of people delay hearing tests and hearing aids  11:19 \u2014 Dr. Gillian\u2019s personal experience with unequal hearing after a head injury  13:56 \u2014 When family members notice hearing loss first\u2014and how to start the conversation  16:23 \u2014 Hearing loss, cognitive decline and dementia: what the research can and cannot show  24:02 \u2014 How better hearing may improve connection, confidence and quality of life  26:03 \u2014 Choosing a hearing-care provider and asking about real-ear measurement  27:50 \u2014 What to expect during hearing testing and hearing-aid fitting  30:54 \u2014 One practical action to take for hearing and brain health  32:22 \u2014 Closing thoughts and invitation to create your healthy-aging roadmap  Contact Robert C Keefer MD Website: https:\/\/www.hearbetterlivelonger.com\/ LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/drrobertkeefer Book information: https:\/\/www.hearbetterlivelonger.com\/  Books: Hear Better, Live Longer by Dr. Robert Keefer The Alzheimer\u2019s Hearing Aid Paradox by Dr. Robert Keefer  Contact Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch Explore the Growing Older Living Younger approach to extending healthspan, protecting independence and aging youthfully. Website: https:\/\/www.askdrgill.com\/ Podcast page: https:\/\/www.askdrgill.com\/podcast  https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gillianlockitch\/  Subscribe to the Growing Older Living Younger NewsletterMessage  Dr. Lockitch to schedule a one on one conversation about healthy longevity ","author_name":"Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,","author_url":"https:\/\/askdrgill.com","html":"