Expert Hearing recently announced a community wide event featuring nationally recognized speaker Dr. Douglas Beck. Dr. Beck will be addressing the subject of “The Silent Crisis: Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Dementia.” The event, which is free to the public, will be held at The Savannah Golf Club on Wednesday, October 15^th at 7:00 p.m. 

Dr. Beck earned his undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders & Sciences, his master’s degree in audiology from the University of Buffalo and his doctorate (Au.D., Doctor of Audiology) from the University of Florida, Gainesville. His professional career began in Los Angeles at the House Ear Institute in cochlear implant research and intraoperative cranial nerve monitoring. In 1988, he joined the medical school faculty as Director of Audiology at Saint Louis University in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. He speaks throughout the world on the links between untreated hearing loss and dementia as well as tinnitus. 

Joining Dr. Beck, Expert Hearing’s Audiologists Dr. Susan Timna and Dr. Cori Palmer will address the ties between hearing loss and dementia. Studies from prominent medical institutions and agencies, such as Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic, have documented that untreated hearing loss leads to early dementia.  

“Studies have shown that even mild hearing loss is said to impact the onset of dementia by three years,” says Dr. Timna. “The brain needs the missing sounds to function as it was intended to and not compensate for the lack of sound by using parts of the brain meant for other functions, such as memory and processing of speech.”

“It was important to us as medical providers to create a platform within our community where patients and caregivers can learn about this silent crisis,” adds Dr. Palmer. “Dr. Beck is recognized for his dedication to hearing healthcare and educating the public, and we are honored to have him address our community on how to treat hearing loss.”

Expert Hearing will donate $10 dollars per attendee at the event to the Savannah Alzheimer’s Association. Seating is limited so please RSVP by October 1^st by calling 912.777.8580.