Rockville, MD - November 20, 2010 - Research indicates the prevalence of individuals who have diabetes and hearing loss in the low to mid range is significantly greater in Mexican Americans than in other racial or ethnic groups, according to researchers from Charles Drew University in Los Angeles who presented their findings at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention in Philadelphia November 18-20.
ASHA member Kenneth Wolf and his colleagues hope their findings increase physician awareness of the relationship between diabetes and hearing loss, especially as it relates to race or ethnicity.
"Patients with diabetes might require closer monitoring for hearing loss than previously thought, especially for those of Mexican American background," Wolf says. "Similarly, Mexican Americans who are found to have low pitch hearing loss may need closer review of their hemoglobin A1C levels to detect or monitor diabetes status."
The presentation was part of ASHA's Annual Convention, which began November 18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Convention featured 3 days of workshops, paper sessions, poster presentations, and the Keynote Session by Nancy Goodman Brinker (Founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation), plus the Annie Glenn Award, which was given to performing artist and "New Kid on the Block" Joey McIntyre. The Convention ran through Saturday, November 20.
These important findings are one example of the research that was discussed during ASHA's Annual Convention. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists as well as other speech, language, and hearing scientists, gather every year at ASHA's Convention to share their research with their colleagues. This sharing of information results in better care for the people they serve.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 140,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders. Learn more at www.asha.org
