Tag Archives: Eldercare Services

Hearing Loss Is a Brain Health Issue: Six Risks and What to Do About Them

Neuroscientist Dr. Kelly Tremblay Explains Why Protecting Hearing is Key to Brain Health in the New Brain Bytes Episode

BALTIMORE, Md., April 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Hearing loss affects one in three adults over age 65 and is a leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. In its latest Brain Bytes micro-cast, AgingIN, a national leader advancing innovation in eldercare, features neuroscientist Kelly Tremblay, PhD, who highlights growing evidence that reframes hearing loss as a critical, and often overlooked, brain health issue.

Image caption: AgingIN, a national leader advancing innovation in eldercare, covers the importance of hearing loss and how it can affect brain health in its Brain Bytes micro-cast, featuring neuroscientist Dr. Kelly Tremblay.

“A powerful connection exists between hearing and brain health. Hearing is not just about sound. It is about cognition, connection, and long-term independence,” Tremblay says. “The good news is that hearing loss is not inevitable. In many cases, it’s preventable, detectable, and manageable.”

Over the past decade, research has advanced rapidly, reshaping how experts understand brain health. The focus is shifting from extending lifespan alone to actively protecting healthspan, and hearing is emerging as a key factor in maintaining cognitive vitality.

“Untreated hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal, early retirement, and reduced independence. Addressing it early helps individuals stay connected, active, and cognitively engaged,” continues Tremblay.

SIX DAILY STEPS TO PROTECT HEARING AS WE AGE:

Rethink hearing loss as a brain health issue.
Hearing loss does not just affect the ears. When the brain receives less sound input, the areas responsible for processing sound become damaged. Over time, this reduced stimulation prevents the brain from conveying and interpreting sound in a clear, meaningful way,even when sounds are made louder. Some research studies report hearing loss as a possible risk factor for dementia.
Do not assume hearing loss is inevitable.
A common misconception is that hearing loss simply comes with age. Tremblay emphasizes that lifestyle factors such as repeated exposure to loud noise, along with certain medical treatments, play a major role. Prevention starts earlier than most people think, beginning in our youth.
Watch for subtle early warning signs.
Hearing loss develops gradually, making it easy to miss. Often, others notice the changes before you do – because you might misunderstand what they said, or ask them to repeat themselves. Key indicators include difficulty following conversations, assuming others are mumbling and not speaking clearly, sensitivity to loud sounds (hyperacusis), and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Practice better “hearing hygiene” every day.
Protecting hearing is an ongoing habit. Reducing exposure to loud environments, being mindful of headphone volume, and addressing medical issues early can help preserve hearing over time. Small daily choices can have a long-term impact.
Get your hearing tested.
Testing is more accessible than many people realize. In addition to clinical evaluations, new options are available, such as online tools, mobile apps, and community-based screenings. Early detection is critical, not only to rule out medical concerns but also to maintain brain engagement.
Use the tools that keep you connected.
Hearing aids and assistive technologies can significantly improve your quality of life. Even though they don’t restore your hearing, because the ear and brain have been deprived of sounds for many years, they can still be very helpful. Traditional hearing aids and newer over-the-counter amplifiers can help you stay engaged in conversations, which is essential for brain health.

AgingIN continues the conversation at its annual conference, “Peak Purpose: Redefining How We Live and Age,” in Denver, August 10-13, where Tremblay will discuss the latest research on brain health and hearing with Dr. Shelly Chadha of the World Health Organization. Learn more: https://aginginnovation.org/events/annual-conference/

Brain Bytes, hosted by neuroscientist, audiologist, and World Health Organization advisor Dr. Kelly Tremblay, delivers quick, evidence-based insights that make brain science accessible and actionable. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a professor, researcher, advocate and clinician, Dr. Tremblay simplifies complex topics related to aging and brain health and shares them so people can age well.

ABOUT AGINGIN

AgingIN is a global nonprofit dedicated to being the catalyst for person-directed living and empowered cultures in the community of one’s choice. Their consulting, technical assistance, and education services empower aging services providers to implement lasting change and transformation that is meaningful and measurable. Formerly known as the Center for Innovation, AgingIN was born from the merging of two of the most influential voices in eldercare transformation: Pioneer Network and THE GREEN HOUSE® Project. For more information and to listen to the full episode of Brain Bytes: Why Hearing Health Is Brain Health, visit: https://aginginnovation.org/.

MULTIMEDIA

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NEWS SOURCE: AgingIN

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‘Elevate Eldercare’ Podcast Explores the Future of Person-directed Care as LeadingAge and the Global Ageing Network Summit Kicks Off in Boston

AgingIN and LeadingAge CEOs Discuss the Power of Storytelling in Aging Services

BOSTON, Mass., Oct. 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — AgingIN, a global leader in culture transformation in long-term care, continues to call for bold commitments to aging services as it participates in the LeadingAge Annual Meeting and the Global Ageing Network Summit in Boston, November 1-5, 2025. At the summit, the Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea, Massachusetts – the nation’s first urbanGreen House® community – will be highlighted as a model of how small-house design and technology can promote autonomy, dignity, and connection for ALS and MS residents.

Image caption: ‘Elevate Eldercare’ Podcast Explores the Future of Person-directed Care.

Beyond its presence at the summit, AgingIN continues to shape the national conversation through its “Elevate Eldercare” podcast, hosted by CEO Susan Ryan. Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge, joins the podcast this month to explore how storytelling, leadership, and collaboration can drive systemic reform.

Smith Sloan reflects on her career spanning the U.S. Senate, AARP, and now LeadingAge, where she leads 5,500 nonprofit, mission-driven providers nationwide. She emphasizes the need for bold thinking, public-private partnerships, and policies that keep human dignity at the heart of care.

“None of us can solve these challenges in a vacuum,” Smith Sloan says. “We need to lift each other up, take risks, and act boldly on what we know works.”

This belief is reflected in AgingIN’s renewed commitment as well. “At AgingIN, we believe person-directed living and culture change are not only compassionate but also sustainable,” said Ryan. “Katie’s leadership at LeadingAge reminds us that reform begins with courage, collaboration, and truth-telling. Real innovation happens when people come together to reimagine what aging can be.”

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: STORIES THAT DRIVE CHANGE

The Elevate Eldercare podcast episode on Oct. 29 showcases leaders Peter Murphy Lewis, the documentarian behind “People Worth Caring About,” and Erin Hart, a marketing and policy leader with the Ohio Health Care Association. They discuss the power of sharing stories from direct-care professionals to demonstrate their dedication, spotlight the workforce’s worth and impact, and shape meaningful change.

The November 5th episode, timed with Veterans Day, features Jack York, the founder of Talegate, a storytelling and documentary platform that elevates elders by sharing their remarkable stories. In this episode, Ryan and York’s conversation honors veterans and explores the tremendous value of sharing elders’ stories to help shift the stigma around aging in our communities.

ABOUT THE “ELEVATE ELDERCARE” PODCAST

The “Elevate Eldercare” podcast brings together thought leaders, activists, academics, and advocates in aging services, providing a space for thoughtful discourse and diverse perspectives. Every Wednesday, host Susan Ryan, the CEO of AgingIN, leads enlightening, provocative, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Together, the hosts and guests explore the opportunities and challenges in building a new, dignified person-directed living system through the lens of the AgingIN model. Listen to the “Elevate Eldercare” podcast by AgingIN at: https://aginginnovation.org/news/elevate-eldercare-podcast/.

ABOUT AGINGIN

AgingIN is the National Coordinating Center for culture transformation in long-term care. As home to The Green House Project and Pioneer Network, AgingIN equips providers, care teams, and communities with education, research, and practical tools to advance person-directed living. Together, we work to create care environments where older adults thrive—and where care professionals find purpose and pride in their work. Learn more and join IN at: https://aginginnovation.org/.

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NEWS SOURCE: AgingIN

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The New Old Age: America’s Elders Fumbling Through the Journey of Aging

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Absolute Trust Talk, a monthly podcast released by Absolute Trust Counsel, recently sat down with Linda Fodrini-Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of Eldercare Services, to discuss the solution to aging with ease.

Fodrini-Johnson reports that two scenarios are happening with older adults. One, they are looking for experts to help them make decisions as they transition into later years of life, or families are facing older loved ones in crisis and need help to find solutions.

"Unfortunately, not enough people know that professionals like aging lifecare managers exist. Many stumble on to us by accident not realizing that there is an expert navigator to guide an elder through their troubles with comfort."

So, what is it that a care manager gives that the family can't? Asking the right questions about a person's health care needs outside of what the family knows - asking what gave a loved one's life meaning and how that will be incorporated regardless of deficits. It's about making sure the quality of life is still there and that the journey is stress free, Fodrini-Johnson says.

"Linda is truly a goldmine of information and experience," says Kirsten Howe, Absolute Trust Talk host and Absolute Trust Counsel Founder. "She knows all the stops and how to get a senior and their family from point A to point B while keeping options for the rest of the journey in sight."

In Absolute Trust Talk's Episode #026 - "Expert Advice on Geriatric Care" - Howe and Fodrini-Johnson discuss:
* What geriatric care is
* What families need to think about when it comes to quality of life for an aging parent
* How families should plan for the transition into long-term care
* How eldercare services can help a family save money.

The podcast can be downloaded on the Absolute Trust Talk podcast page, https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/026-expert-advice-on-geriatric-care-with-linda-fodrini-johnson/, along with a free downloadable resource and exclusive tool: "Moms Moving In - The Rewards, Concerns and Realities."

It can also be downloaded on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/absolute-trust-talk/id1371742254?mt=2.

About Absolute Trust Talk:

Educating at every step. Absolute Trust Talk is not your run-of-the-mill general counsel show filled with legal jargon that doesn't resonate. Through her 20+ years of practice, Absolute Trust Counsel's managing attorney, Kirsten Howe, found herself working with clients who were confused and overwhelmed by the complexity of estate planning and saw a need to help clients with education and specific client-centered estate planning services. Now she's taking her expertise and experience to a new level; she's on a mission to bring a thought-provoking and approachable, friendly voice not only to estate planning, but to a wide variety of business and financial wellness topics.

Through a series of podcasts, Howe will connect with like-minded business professionals and work to coach and encourage listeners to make educated and informed planning decisions. Preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful or hard, but it does have to be smart.

About Absolute Trust Counsel:

Absolute Trust Counsel is among the most highly ranked estate planning law firms in Walnut Creek. The firm's areas of expertise include estate planning, trust administration, Medi-Cal planning, probate, retirement assets planning and special needs planning. Absolute Trust Counsel's mission is to provide easy legal solutions for every client.

Howe was admitted to the California bar in 1987 and has practiced in Walnut Creek since 1997. She earned her J.D. cum laude at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was a member of the Thurston Society and Managing Editor of The Hastings Law Journal. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan.

She is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of The State of California Bar; the Estate Planning and Probate Section; the Elder Law Section; and the Women's Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She's on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley and a member of the Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court.

Learn more: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com.

About Eldercare Services:

Founded in 1989, Eldercare Services is a locally owned and operated care management and home care company, accredited by the Joint Commission with a staff of over 15 Professional Care Managers and more than 200 highly trained caregivers. Further information can be found on www.EldercareAnswers.com.

Absolute Trust Talk, a monthly podcast released by Absolute Trust Counsel, recently sat down with Linda Fodrini-Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of Eldercare Services, to discuss the solution to aging with ease.

Related link: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/