Stay on Top of Your Brain Health With Cognivue Thrive

As we age, our bodies change (hello, creaky joints), and our brains do, too. Periodically forgetting recent events like where you put your keys is normal, but consistently having trouble completing tasks without help or not being able to name items isn’t.

Interested in knowing where your brain health stands? Center for Hearing is pleased to offer our patients Cognivue Thrive—a revolutionary diagnostic tool for cognitive function.

Get Peace of Mind

Cognivue Thrive is a portable, self-administered, computerized screening device that measures cognitive function and takes minutes to complete. It empowers you to take control of your brain health by uncovering any cognitive issue as early as possible, ensuring that you can get help faster.

The Cognivue Thrive experience begins with a four-minute introductory video followed by tests measuring memory, executive function, visuospatial abilities, processing and reaction time. Your audiologist reviews the results and uses them in clinical decision-making to set expectations, make referrals as appropriate and determine success. They will also send these results to your primary care doctor or other health care provider.

The Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline Connection

If you or someone you love has hearing loss, evidence shows that you’re at a higher risk of cognitive decline than someone with normal hearing, making Cognivue Thrive even more crucial for your overall well-being.

In a study published in 2013, 2,000 older adults (average age: 77) were tracked for six years. Those who began the study with the worst hearing loss were 24% more likely to see a decline in cognitive ability compared to individuals with normal hearing.¹

But separate research also shows that patients who get treatment for their hearing loss with hearing devices reduce their odds of cognitive decline.²

Early detection of hearing loss and cognitive issues is key. We can uncover both for you at Center for Hearing by incorporating Cognivue Thrive into your comprehensive hearing evaluation. Call us today, (239) 434-0086, to schedule an appointment.

1 Lin, F.R. et al. (2013). Hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults. Jama Intern Med 173(4): 293-299. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1558452

2 Maharani, A., Dawes, P. et al. (2018). Longitudinal relationship between hearing aid use and cognitive function in older Americans. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29637544/

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The Future of Hearing Devices: Deep Neural Networks & Artificial Intelligence

February 14, 2025

Hearing technology has come a long way over the years; however, one aspect of hearing loss that many hearing aids have difficulty addressing is trouble understanding speech in noise. Fortunately, some of today’s state-of-the-art devices can solve this problem utilizing deep neural networks (DNN) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensorineural hearing loss causes difficulty understanding speech in background noise. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy, which are then interpreted by the brain. This causes the quality and quantity of the signal sent from the ears to the brain to diminish over time, resulting in the brain expending more energy and effort to make sense of it. DNNs may help improve the transmission of the neural code, making hearing easier on the brain. [1] It’s important to know what DNNs are to understand how they can help. DNNs are a subset of AI. They rapidly analyze large data sets so that they can teach hearing aids and other technological devices how to respond to data like a human would, all while verifying accuracy and making corrections. DNNs are beneficial in hearing technology because they can help with speech enhancement. DNNs can be applied as “time-frequency masks,” meaning select sounds—like speech—are allowed while other sounds are suppressed. DNNs can also identify and separate multiple voices, selecting a primary voice to emphasize and secondary voices to suppress. This feature can help hearing device wearers in a variety of settings. For example, at a restaurant or party, the hearing device can emphasize a conversation partner, allow other nearby voices at a reduced volume and suppress background noises such as dishes clinking. Schedule an appointment to talk to Center for Hearing about our vast state-of-the-art hearing solutions today— (239) 434-0086. [1] Published by Douglas L. Beck. (2021, January 15). Deep neural networks in hearing devices. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/deep-neural-networks

Startup Aims to Develop the First Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

February 14, 2025

A Boston biotech startup is attempting to develop the first gene therapy treatment for hearing loss. If successful, it promises to offer new hope to the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer from gene-based hearing loss—a number that includes more than 4,000 newborns. The timing may not be ideal, but biotech companies have been largely immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession. Developing new drugs takes years, so these companies are better able to weather storms. And the efforts of biotechnology companies that are focusing on tools to prevent and treat potentially fatal health threats has resulted in soaring stock values for many of these companies, even in the face of the current crisis. Akouos, the Boston startup, was founded in 2016. Its goal is to develop the first gene therapy to treat hearing loss and is targeting a specific form of deafness that results from mutations in a single gene. They are experimenting with adeno-associated viruses, using them as vectors to deliver DNA that encodes a functioning gene in certain target cells. Around 7,000 people are afflicted with this type of genetic hearing loss. Adeno-associated viruses are considered viable candidates because they don’t usually cause disease and can be customized to treat a variety of genetic conditions. The company has partnered with two influential organizations: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, a Swiss manufacturing company that holds contracts with various pharmaceutical makers. Manny Simons, Akouos’ co-founder and chief executive, holds a degree in neuroscience from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His desire to help those with hearing loss stems from his passion for playing the piano. “It’s easy to take hearing for granted,” said in a Boston Globe interview. “Maybe because music has been important to me, it’s something that I take a little less for granted.” [1] [1] Saltzman, J. (2020, June 22). Akouos, a startup developing a gene therapy for hearing loss, raises IPO value to $125 million - The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/22/business/ipo-upped-akouos-boston-startup-working-gene-therapy-hearing-loss/