Preventing Decline with Neuroscientist Dr. Keith N. Darrow

Joan Harris has a dedicated focus in working with adults over 60 who have complex life issues, mental health challenges and Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders. As a highly skilled Social Worker, she advocates for her clients, mediates family dynamics, and empowers her clients to participate in their decision making. During the past 16 years Joan has worked as an Aging Life Care Professional growing her expertise to become an advanced level professional.

In 2017 Joan founded Symphony Care Management, LLC, a full-service Care Management and Life Planning Company. She developed Symphony Life Planning knowing that if she can engage with older adults sooner, providing education and a personalized understanding of the preventative steps that they can take, they may avoid many of the problems that happen when aging without a vision of the future and a roadmap to get there. Visit https://www.symphonycaremanagement.com for more information on the services Joan provides!

In this episode we discuss:
1. Why is elderly care planning so important?
2. How to structure a thorough plan for an elderly family member.
3. What are the services Joan provides to her clients?
4. How to find a care manager in your local area.

Juliëtte Sterkens is a Dutch born audiologist with nearly 40 years of experience in the fitting of hearing instruments and counseling on living well with hearing loss. Juliëtte took a leave from her audiology practice to take on the position of Hearing Loop Advocate for HLAA. She now travels across the country to meet with HLAA Chapters and audiologists about the importance of telecoils and how to get a hearing loop project started in their community. Visit her website loopwisconsin.com or hearingloop.org for more information on hearing loops!

In this episode we discuss:
1. What is assistive technology when it comes to hearing aids?
2. The evolution of hearing loop technology.
3. What is Auracast assistive listening technology?
4. Juliëtte's advocacy for hearing loops across the country.

Chamatkar Sandhu is an Internet personality and content creator focused on covering the UFC, MMA, Boxing and the NBA. He's been an MMA reporter for the BBC and is currently working as a social media producer for TNT Sports. He also has a film podcast called Screen Off Script. Sandhu has recently come out publicly and discussed the problems with his hearing as well as the modern solutions he's applied to the issue.

In this episode we discuss:
1. How Sandhu discovered that he was having issues with his hearing.
2. His experiences with professional hearing clinicians.
3. The stigmas surrounding hearing aids.
4. Sandhu's excitement with the results he's getting and advancements in modern hearing technology.

Suzana Matalqah is a clinical audiologist working as a manager in an audiology and speech pathology clinic in Jordan. She graduated from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology. She went on to get a master's degree in audiology from the University of Manchester, where she learned and observed the various ways audiologists handle their patients in the UK and compared and contrasted both countries. Her goal is to make an impact in the field (at least in her country) and to grow and learn as much as possible.

In this episode we discuss: 
1. Suzana's story on becoming a clinical audiologist!
2. How does diagnosing patients work in Jordan compared to the U.S.? 
3. The similarities between U.S. and Jordan when it comes to hearing loss stigmas. 
4. How Suzana is trying to make an impact in the field in Jordan!

Dr. Jaime Wilson understands first hand what happens to the brain as we age! Dr. Wilson is a prescribing medical psychologist and board-certified neuropsychologist in private practices both inside and outside Washington State. He holds privileges at several area hospitals and has worked extensively with physicians, other healthcare providers and forensic experts, providing neuropsychological evaluations across the U.S. The field of neuropsychology is dedicated to learning about and diagnosing conditions related to the brain and nervous system.

As a Past President of the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses, Dr. Wilson also serves on the Diversity Council for the Society of Prescribing Psychology and as Chair of the Diversity Committee for the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology. Dr. Wilson has also published a book on the what, how and why of dementia and the hearing loss tie-in.

In Preserving the Etchings of the Mind, Dr. Wilson discusses how we can protect ourselves against the disease of dementia while maximizing the quality of our lives during the Golden Years. This book offers a rare and unique perspective into the world of dementia through the lens of hearing loss. The book can be found here! Dr. Wilson grew up with a profound hearing loss, wearing bilateral hearing aids and primarily communicated using spoken language and American Sign Language. Dr. Wilson resides in Olympia, WA with his wife (a registered nurse who is also deaf), three kids and a King Charles Spaniel named Pepper Jack.

In this episode we discuss: 
1. What is a critical window to treat hearing loss in older adults to help reduce the risk of cogntive decline? 
2. What does it mean to "preserve your mind"?
3. What motivated Dr. Wilsons book “Preserving the etchings of the mind"?
4. Over the counter hearing aids versus audiologist provided hearing aids. Why it is so important to get fitted by an audiologist? 
5. Dr. Wilson's reaching to new research articles about the connection of hearing loss and dementia.

Nashlea Brogan decided to become a Doctor of Audiology after she started to lose her own hearing at 18 years old. Her hearing worsened over the years until she was completely deaf. At that same time her own Audiologist inspired her to become a Doctor of Audiology. Nashlea has first-hand experience struggling with her own diagnosis and the practical day-to-day changes she had to make. This helped her to become a better, more compassionate audiologist. She devotes a lot of time to counseling patients to help them successfully adapt to their new hearing lifestyle and has created a specialized team at Bluewater Hearing to extend that level of care over the lifespan of your treatment!

In this episode we discuss:
1. Nashlea's unique perspective not only as a medical professional but as someone who is also living with hearing loss!
2. Nashlea's personal experience of people in her life in denial about her hearing loss.
3. Nashlea's advice on how to educate people around you and set your own boundaries.
4. Is there a place or community for people living with hearing loss to find support while navigating life with hearing loss?

To find support navigating your hearing loss and tinnitus, join Nashlea’s Facebook group Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Support Group for education, tools and resources!

Brian Browne is the president of Cognitive Care Management and founder of Integrative Neuro Nutrition. Brian is a cognitive scientist and neuro-nutritionist, he possesses over 20 years of expertise in the fields of dementia, nutrition, aging and clinical research. He is a noted public speaker and a frequent lecturer at meetings and conferences regionally and nationally. Brian has been featured by many media outlets and produces regular content for various publications. His research interests include examining the role of nutrition and non-pharmacological approaches to reduce the risks of cognitive decline, chronic disease and abnormal aging. 

In this episode we discuss: 
1. Quality of life indicator versus longevity.
2. How and when Alzheimer’s changes in the brain occur? 
3. How is gut health related to cognitive decline? 
4. What are the delivery methods for therapeutics and nutrition that help support cognition? 
5. Why is getting in front of cognitive decline so crucial and better than the uphill battle after symptoms show? 
6. Why is education so important for everyone from patients to hearing healthcare providers?

Kevin Weston received his master's degree in applied Exercise Science and is a certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine and a certified balance and mobility instructor. He also received additional certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council of Exercise. Mr. Weston has worked professionally in the fitness industry since 2004, specializing in functional exercise and sharing his passion for physical activity and human movement!

In this episode we discuss: 
1. Mr. Weston's journey on becoming an exercise specialist!
2. What does exercise do for the body and mind overall? 
3. Does it matter what type of exercise you should do? 
4. What does customization mean for adults with pre-existing conditions? 
5. Is just being physically active enough to lower cognitive decline?

Sheila Thelen, speaker, president of Vestibular Training Services and master-rated figure skating coach joins the Dr. Darrow podcast! Ms. Thelen applies these world-class vestibular training tools which are patent pending in Innovation presentations on how spinning addicts the vestibular system. These training tools can improve the brain's ability to balance and the cognitive processes. She is an international speaker who discusses applying world class athletic training tools to the general population. The Vestibular Training Services and products serve individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism/Sensory disorders, rehabilitation, aging and athletes. 

In this episode, we discuss: 
1. What happens to our balance as we age?
2. What is the rail system, and how does it work to help the vestibular system?
3. How do you train your body and your mind to be less prone to falling?
4. Where can you learn more about vestibular training?

Dr. Richard Gans has been a clinician, educator and author in the specialty of equilibrium for over 30 years. His research, writings, diagnostic and treatment protocols are used by ENT, Neurology, Audiology and Physical Medicine-Rehabilitation facilities worldwide. As Founder and CEO of the American Institute of Balance, he has trained thousands of health care practitioners through university academic programs, post-graduate workshops, online courses and international seminars ranging from Latin America to Asia. Dr. Gans has authored and co-authored 10 Textbook chapter, 50 research publications and given 150 invited international Keynote talks in 35 countries from Mexico to Malaysia.

In this episode, we discuss: 
1. Why Dr. Gans became passionate about helping individuals in various fields, became educated on dizziness and what we can do as clinicians to help.
2. How can dizziness and falls be related to other health conditions?
3. What symptoms to look for when it comes to dizziness and what other components can be symptoms of dizziness other than the zoom spinning? 
4. What can individuals do, especially individuals in the older population, to prevent falls and dizziness when they feel healthy?