The American Institute of Balance with Richard Gans, PhD

Ever wonder how your hearing and balance play a significant role in preventing falls, especially for older adults? Our latest podcast episode brings you an enlightening conversation with Dr. Richard Gans, a global authority on hearing and balance. A personal journey driven by his mother's struggle with intractable Meniere’s disease led him to audiology and shaped his commitment to understanding and treating vertigo. He reflects on the early days of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Electrocochleography (ECOG), while emphasizing his drive and desire to earn his PhD.

As we mark Fall Prevention Awareness Week, we delve deeper into the labyrinth of the audio-vestibular system. This complex network, akin to a duplex, comprises of the cochlea, or the flat, and the vestibular system, or the townhouse. Dr. Gans shares his transition from retail to a medical model in his practice, highlighting the importance of healthcare providers to stay relevant. As we round up our conversation, we underscore the imperative of collaborative healthcare and discuss patient validation and take inspiration from the optometry model that exemplifies team-based care. Tune in for an insightful discourse on the correlation between hearing-balance and fall prevention!

 

Link to the full transcript.