The Audiologist Informer

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading cause of nongenetic childhood sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). AAA says audiologists play an important role as clinical care providers, educators, and advocates for early identification and audiological management of infants with cCMV.

For the first time, researchers have identified specific regions of the brain that are damaged by high blood pressure and may contribute to a decline in mental processes and the development of dementia. High blood pressure is known to be involved in causing dementia and damage to brain function, and all of these conditions are associated with hearing loss.

Risk of loneliness is increased with hearing loss. Loneliness unleashes excess stress hormones, causing an elevated heart rate, and increased blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It also reduces the number of antibodies we produce to fight infection and may make us more susceptible to cancer. Even vaccine response has been shown to be less robust in socially isolated individuals.

Medicaid has rules related to billing beneficiaries, even if the beneficiaries pay providers in cash. Some of these policies apply to all private practitioners, including audiologists and SLPs, whether or not the providers are enrolled with Medicaid. Here are some things to consider before accepting cash from a Medicaid beneficiary.