GN Announces New LISTEN TO THIS Masterclass Video Series About Link Between Hearing and Brain Health

BALLERUP, DENMARK — GN, the global leader in intelligent hearing, audio, video, and gaming solutions, and its partners announced today the launch of the LISTEN TO THIS masterclass video series. This educational initiative is designed to empower hearing care professionals (HCPs) with essential insights into the critical interplay between hearing health, brain health, and overall quality of life.

The LISTEN TO THIS masterclass series addresses the urgent need for greater awareness of the link between hearing health and brain health. Recent studies have identified hearing loss as a potentially modifiable risk factor for the development of dementia and suggest that hearing aids could slow down cognitive decline by up to half in individuals at increased risk.1,2 However, translating these findings into practical, real-world applications remains challenging. The series delves into the latest research, providing HCPs with cutting-edge insights and practical strategies to incorporate this knowledge into their practice and counsel patients on the positive benefits of hearing care.

Masterclass presenters include (clockwise from top left) Barbara Weinstein, PhD, who shares insights into how hearing loss impacts people’s quality of life; Frank Lin, MD, PhD, who addresses the effect untreated hearing loss can have on cognitive function; Anitha Rao, MD, who talks about dementia and how neurologists are embracing strategies around preventative neurology and modifiable risk; Megan Quilter, AuD, who looks at the critical link between hearing care and brain health from a clinical perspective; Helen Henshaw, PhD, who talks about the practical steps you can take to help discuss, identify, and support people living with cognitive complaints or dementia within audiology services; and Sigurd Brandt, MD, who provides an overview of some of the newest research that is setting the direction for where to look when it comes to exploring a potential causal link between hearing loss and cognitive health.
Masterclass presenters include (clockwise from top left) Barbara Weinstein, PhD, who shares insights into how hearing loss impacts people’s quality of life; Frank Lin, MD, PhD, who addresses the effect untreated hearing loss can have on cognitive function; Anitha Rao, MD, who talks about dementia and how neurologists are embracing strategies around preventative neurology and modifiable risk; Megan Quilter, AuD, who looks at the critical link between hearing care and brain health from a clinical perspective; Helen Henshaw, PhD, who talks about the practical steps you can take to help discuss, identify, and support people living with cognitive complaints or dementia within audiology services; and Sigurd Brandt, MD, who provides an overview of some of the newest research that is setting the direction for where to look when it comes to exploring a potential causal link between hearing loss and cognitive health.

Each module is crafted and presented by leading experts in the field, like board-certified neurologist Dr. Anitha Rao and otologic surgeon and epidemiologist Dr. Frank Lin, ensuring that the content is applicable in real-world clinical settings. The series includes nine on-demand videos that concisely yet comprehensively cover topics such as the importance of hearing care, the impact of hearing loss on brain physiology, and cognitive screening in audiology.

“This is the first time an educational resource of this standard has been made available specifically for the audiology community, and marks a significant milestone in our commitment to the advancement of audiology and hearing healthcare,” explains Scott Davis, Hearing Division President at GN. “By leveraging the expertise of world-renowned specialists, we are pioneering a new approach to understanding the connections between hearing loss and broader brain health. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful conversations about integrating hearing care with overall health strategies.”

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"The relationship between hearing and brain health represents one of the most promising frontiers in preventive neurology," says Dr. Rao."Research shows that addressing hearing loss, along with other modifiable risk factors, could potentially reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk by up to half in high-risk individuals, making hearing care professionals critical partners in brain health preservation. This Masterclass series bridges an important knowledge gap by providing evidence-based tools for hearing care professionals to identify cognitive concerns early and engage in meaningful conversations about brain health with their patients."

Launched earlier this year, LISTEN TO THIS is a global initiative aiming to ensure hearing health is recognized as an important factor in good cognitive health and overall wellbeing. In an unprecedented collaborative effort, leading public and private organizations, including UsAgainstAlzheimer's and the National Acoustics Laboratories (NAL), have united with a common goal, and this masterclass series is an important step in the right direction.

The LISTEN TO THIS Masterclass series is available for free now for sign-up. Once HCPs complete all the modules, they will gain access to accompanying informational brochures and posters to use in their practices with their patients.

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