Current Concepts & Treatment:  Non-Invasive Breast Cancer

                                                 N. Craig Brackett, III, MD, FACS

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) of the breast is a heterogeneous group of lesions with diverse malignant potential and is associated with a range of controversial treatment options. DCIS is, by definition, non-invasive or pre-invasive breast cancer and is classified as a Tis lesion in our current staging system (Stage 0). DCIS now constitutes up to 20% of all newly diagnosed breast cancers and according to 2010 American Cancer Society data, over 54,000 cases were diagnosed last year. It is the most rapidly growing subgroup within the breast cancer family. Advances in breast imaging and emphasis placed on screening programs have lead to this increase in diagnosis.

The diagnosis of DCIS is made by screening mammography 90% of the time. Mammographically seen microcalcifications are considered the hallmark of this disease. Stereotactic core needle biopsy (SCNB) is the preferred technique in diagnosing this disorder. SCNB is an accurate, minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that takes 20-30 minutes to perform. At our women’s imaging centers, we have done over 2,000 of these biopsies.

Once the diagnosis is made by our pathologists, the patient is informed of her diagnosis and each treatment option is discussed with her in detail. The goal of treatment is to cure the patient of a noninvasive cancer, even if it means having to perform a mastectomy. However, less than 25% of women with DCIS will need a mastectomy, leaving 75% of patients with the possibility of breast conservation as their option. This is where the controversy over treatment options comes into play.

  Breast conservation surgery (BCS) is defined as lumpectomy or tumor excision with uninvolved margins, with or without post-operative whole breast irradiation (XRT). We know that mastectomy is 99% effective in treating this disease so BCS needs to approach this success rate in order to be offered as a treatment option.

There are clinical trials that address the use of breast conservation in the treatment of DCIS.  These trials have shown that all patients benefited from whole breast irradiation with a 50% reduction in breast cancer recurrences. Despite its benefits, post-operative XRT is not without complications including fibrosis, decreased sensitivity of follow up mammograms, inability to use XRT for cancer recurrences, and it may cause difficulties in future surgeries if they are needed. Radiation centers are also not always accessible to the patient and it is expensive and time consuming.

The development of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) given through a radiation catheter placed in the office is being evaluated for use in the treatment of DCIS. Currently, APBI is showing excellent local recurrence rates and cosmetic outcomes in early stage breast cancers. It is hopeful that APBI will be less time consuming, less expensive, just as effective as whole breast XRT, and with a much lower complication rate.

Clinical trials have compared BCS with post-op radiation therapy with and without the addition of Tamoxifen. The addition of Tamoxifen statistically decreased the amount of invasive recurrences. We currently treat our patients with DCIS with 20 mg of Tamoxifen once a day for five years.

In our practice, treatment decisions are based on a variety of parameters including tumor size, margin width, nuclear grade, and age of the patient. These parameters form the basis of the Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI); a scoring system for DCIS developed by Dr. Mel Silverstein and colleagues that is a useful guide in the decision making process. There are basically four treatment options for DCIS of the breast: lumpectomy, lumpectomy with accelerated partial breast irradiation, lumpectomy with whole breast irradiation, and mastectomy. In addition to the VNPI, cancer pathology, mammography, and close communication between the surgeon, radiologist, and pathologist are key components to proper decision making. Together, these factors allow us to better estimate the risk of recurrence and the benefit of additional treatment, in particular, the use of XRT and Tamoxifen.

DCIS is a non-invasive form of breast cancer that does not usually spread to lymph nodes so sentinel lymph node dissection is not generally indicated. However, situations may arise that make its ease of use applicable: large upper, outer quadrant lesions of high grade necrosis, DCIS with microinvasion, DCIS with a mass, and in patients who are undergoing a mastectomy. Furthermore, if invasive cancer is found in the initial lumpectomy specimen, one can usually go back and perform SLNB at a later time.

The use of cytotoxic or systemic chemotherapy is not required in the treatment of DCIS. As mentioned before, Tamoxifen, taken 20 mg a day for five years, plays a role in reducing invasive recurrences. In the future, molecular studies will show which lesions have a high propensity of local recurrence and microinvasion. This will help us determine even more accurate treatment options.

It is generally thought that the likelihood of developing an invasive cancer in the conservatively treated breast is approximately 1% or less per year following initial diagnosis and treatment. This is one reason why organized and timely follow up is important in these patients.

The treatment of recurrences that develop in the treated breast will depend on the initial treatment employed. If the patient initially had lumpectomy alone, then she is a possible candidate for re-excision and radiation. However, many recurrences are treated with mastectomy as most patients have usually received postoperative XRT in their initial treatment. Any invasive recurrence is treated as you normally would based on the stage of the cancer.

In summary, DCIS is a curable, non-invasive form of breast cancer with 97% survival at 15 years. The keys to achieving a cure are proper margin determination, proper pathological classification, and communication between the surgeon, pathologist, and radiologist. There are a wide variety of treatment options. These include: lumpectomy, lumpectomy and radiation, and mastectomy.

Questions Frequently Asked about Breast Enhancement

Kimberley B.C. Goh, M.D.

Am I a candidate for breast enhancement?

If you have never had much breast development or if you have lost some volume with pregnancy, weight loss or menopause, you might be a candidate for enhancement.

How do I know if I am a candidate for a breast enlargement or if I need a lift with the implant?

If there is significant sagging or the breasts have an unusual shape they may be better corrected with an implant and a lift.   Just simply placing an implant into the breast if the breast is very saggy or a different shape is not enough. 

What are the risks involved and what things should I consider?

There are risks and future costs to consider before you decide to have breast enhancement surgery.  Implants are mechanical devices and will not last forever.  Just like an artificial hip, knee or heart valve, they eventually wear out.  You likely will need surgery again on your breasts, either to remove or replace the implants.  The implants used for augmentation are saline or silicone gel in a silicone plastic envelope.

If the saline implant leaks, it will go flat and the saline absorbed by your body, if the silicone leaks it is usually trapped within the scar around your implant.  Silicone that has leaked will need to be removed with surgery.  Saline implants that have leaked also need removal of the now empty envelope.

Your mammogram will be affected by the implant.  Both silicone and saline filled breast implants will affect your mammogram to a small degree.  Extra views will be necessary to make a more complete examination of your breast

Another possible complications of breast implants is that your body may form a tight scar or capsular contracture around them.  This is true for either silicone filled or saline filled implants.  It may be necessary to re-operate to release the scar and make the breast soft again, and unfortunately it’s possible that even after a surgical release that the tight scar could recur.

What are the advantages of silicone implants versus saline and how do I choose?

The silicone filled breast implant has an advantage over the saline filled breast implant in its texture and appearance.  If the original breast is small and the implant is large, or the tissue covering the implant is very thin the silicone may give a better appearance and more natural feel.  Sometimes the saline filled breast implant will have a visible edge with rippling.  If you are going from a very small breast to a large breast, are very thin or are placing the implant on top of the muscle with very little breast tissue or fat covering it, then silicone may be a good choice if the texture and lack of rippling is important to you.  For example builders or fitness contestants may do better with a silicone implant over the muscle. However, if you are increasing your size a modest amount or if you have a moderate amount of breast or soft tissue to cover it then a saline implant may work very well. 

To place a silicone implant there is a longer scar, the implants themselves costs more, and it is more expensive to remove them than for a saline filled implant.  MRI may be necessary of the silicone implants in the future, and it may not be covered by your insurance carrier.  If the implant has leaked, then silicone will be outside of the implant coating the scar around the implant, or perhaps even leaked beyond the scar into your breast tissue. To remove the silicone you will also need to remove the capsule around the implant, so this involves more surgery than needed to remove a saline implant. 

Are silicone implants safe?

The silicone implant information collected over a fifteen year prospective study and presented to the FDA revealed no increased incidence of immune disorders with silicone implants (i.e. Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, etc.) 

 Who should do my surgery and where should I have it? 

There are many things you should consider if you want breast enhancement.  It is important to discuss the operation and other details with your surgeon.  Your surgeon should be chosen with care.  A surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has had at least five to seven years of intensive post-graduate training.  This training includes academic instruction and rigorous supervised hands on surgical training.  The training involves not only the surgery of the implants and lifts, but also teaches the skills to choose patients and avoid and address complications.  There are many people performing cosmetic procedures with little or no formal training. It is in your best interest to check on the experience and qualifications of the physician you choose to perform your surgical procedure.  A surgical suite in a physician’s office can allow for more privacy and decrease costs.  If you have your surgery done in a surgical center, make sure that is certified by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities, or other nationally recognized certifying agencies. Breast enhancement can enhance your body and make you more confident, but it is surgery.  Understand what it can do and what to expect in the future.

Kimberley B.C. Goh, M.D.

Grand Strand Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, P.A.

4610 Oleander Drive Suite 101

Myrtle Beach, SC  29577

(843) 497-2227

gsprs@sc.rr.com

kimberleygohmd.com

Gritty, Itchy Eyes Or Blurred Vision? 

It Could be “Dry Eye Disease”.

Dr Thomas Weshefsky

How do your eyes feel?

·         Do they hurt?

·         Do they feel dry, scratchy or gritty?

·         Do they have a burning sensation?

·         Do they have a foreign body sensation?

·         Are they itchy?

·         Are they sensitive to light?

·         Are tears running down your cheeks?

·         Do they become increasingly more tired during the day?

·         Does your vision fluctuate?

·         Do you experience irritation from smoke, wind, or air movement?

·         Is your vision blurred?   

·         Are they red?

·         Do you have problems wearing contact lenses?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then you are likely one of the 30 million Americans who suffer from “dry eye”. 

You may have tried over the counter eyedrops only to discover that they provided little to no relief. 

Perhaps you have even discussed your symptoms with your eye doctor and he or she gave you a bottle of artificial tears to try. 

Did it work?  It probably made you feel a bit better for a few minutes but did it really work?  Most likely, it did not and you just resigned yourself to “learning to live with it” because it is just part of the aging process. 

Unfortunately, this situation is all too common.  According to a 2008 Gallup poll, the symptoms of dry eye are either the primary or secondary reason for nearly half of all visits to an eye doctor.  The problem is that nine out of ten people who experience these symptoms have none of the classic clinical signs of dry eye.  That means that when the doctor examines those people their eyes appear perfectly healthy and the condition is not judged to be serious.  However, the patient still feels significant pain. 

Doctors in general and eye doctors in particular are trained to connect patient symptoms with their clinical signs.  Once this connection is made and the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can begin.  Most of the time, this system of patient care works exceedingly well.  However, 90% of dry eye sufferers have no clinical signs, and as a result, this connection cannot be made and the condition is often judged to be not significant enough to warrant any major treatment.

Although the symptoms of dry eye have plagued mankind from the beginning, dry eye was not officially recognized as an eye condition until 1994 when a team of doctors from the National Eye Institute defined it as a “disorder”.  

It wasn’t until 2007, that dry eye was finally classified as a “disease”.   This occurred when a large international team of leading experts released the results of a three year study called the dry eye Workshop (DEWS) report.  Their study developed a very precise definition of dry eye disease as well as guidelines for its diagnosis, classification and treatment.  They recognized that dry eye cannot be effectively treated using clinical signs alone.  Doctors must also track patient symptoms to effectively manage dry eye.

The good news is that you do not have to live with the pain anymore.  When a careful patient history is taken and symptoms are monitored in addition to clinical testing, dry eye disease can be controlled.

This is the first in a series of articles on dry eye disease.  

The Dry Eye Treatment Center

Located at

Carolina Forest Family Eyecare

3874 Renee Drive

Myrtle Beach, SC  29579

(843) 903-6262

Root Decay… A Serious Matter

By: Jeffrey W. Horowitz, D.M.D., F.A.G.D.

The general population is steadily aging, and despite paying more attention to their oral health, one dental condition persists for adults and continues to increase in prevalence, root cavities. Root cavities pose an urgent threat to teeth in that if they are not treated aggressively; premature loss of the teeth can almost always be assured. Root cavities are not always obvious to the patient, and it is not uncommon for a tooth to have a hopeless prognosis by the time the average person can visibly see one. Although it is not the most glamorous of subjects, I wanted to use this month’s article to explain more about this condition, what the risk factors are, and preventative measures that can be taken.

    Understanding how and why these cavities develop is critical in developing a strategy for prevention and treatment.  As the name obviously suggests, root decay affects the root of the tooth, below the enamel covered portion that is well protected. Indeed the root has no enamel, and if looked at microscopically, would appear quite rough and porous. This is one reason that bacterial plaque and biofilm are so often found in abundance there. When left undisturbed by poor oral hygiene, and fueled by high carbohydrate or acidic diets, the bacteria produce acids that will readily penetrate the weak surface, resulting in a root cavity. With no hard enamel to slow the process down the cavity spreads like a wild fire, and in little time can break down a tooth to the level of the nerve or all the way to the jaw bone. When this happens there is little hope for saving the tooth.

    Risk factors for developing root cavities include age, poor salivary flow, poor oral hygiene, prior dental decay and restoration, acidic and high carbohydrate diets, gum disease and gum recession. What the first five have in common is that they all revolve around a low pH (acidic) oral environment. Bacteria that cause decay flourish in an acidic environment. Our saliva acts as a natural buffer, neutralizing an environment that would otherwise be too acidic. Having poor salivary flow automatically puts one at risk for dental decay. Unfortunately this is a very common problem for the elderly, as many medications cause Dry Mouth Syndrome. A patient on any three or more prescription medications must be considered at higher risk for dental decay because of the high likelihood of dry mouth.  Be assured however, that dental decay is not just limited to the elderly. Acidic diets including regular exposure to fruit juices and soft drinks can also cause decay. Additionally, many young people use medications like diet aids, energy boosters, and antihistamines that create dry mouth syndrome just as in the elderly population. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is that roots need to be exposed to the bacteria of the oral environment for a cavity to begin there. This means that someone with gum disease, prior gum disease or gum recession must take extra precaution to avoid root decay.

    Prevention of root caries has two primary strategies. First is preventing root exposure. Although not all recession is preventable, good oral hygiene and regular dental care can prevent gum disease and bone loss, which lead to receding gums and root exposure. Avoiding excessively hard brushing or a hard bristled toothbrush can also reduce trauma to the gums that can cause recession.

    Once root exposure does exist, the second strategy of cavity prevention must be employed. First and foremost is good oral hygiene, along with a low carbohydrate, non acidic diet. For those with salivary impairment, use of sugar free products that promote saliva flow and contain Xylitol, a non digestible sugar to the oral bacteria, has been shown to help with caries prevention. When combined with prescription fluorides and/or remineralization products available from your dentist, root caries incidence can be dramatically reduced.  Perhaps one of the most effective methods of prevention is a root coverage procedure. This can be achieved with gum grafting or by covering all of the tooth structure above the gums with a crown. When decay does not exist, gum grafting is a much more conservative approach, especially with the advent of new materials that don’t require harvesting gum tissue from the patient. These new allograft materials act as scaffolding for the body to form new tissue around the root, and have made the procedure applicable for multiple graft sites. Discomfort from the procedure is minimal making it more attractive to patients. When decay exists, or when the tooth has already been restored, placing a crown to cover the root may be preferable.

    If you suspect root decay or one of the risk factors, do not waste time visiting your dentist.  It just may make the difference in keeping your teeth!

   Dr Horowitz is a 1991 graduate of The Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine and completed a General practice residency at the Mountainside Hospital In Montclair, N.J. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry as well as a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Orthodontic Society, and The American Dental Association. He is the owner and dentist at the Carolina Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry at 1515 9th Ave., Conway, S.C. He can be contacted at (843) 248-3843 or via the Web at www.carolinacosmeticdental.com.

I am over 40, can I wear Contact Lenses?

By Dr. Thomas Weshefsky

I am over 40, can I wear contact lenses?  I hear this question on a daily basis.  The answer is almost always, YES!  You Can Wear Contact Lenses. 

    Most people in the over-40s crowd are suffering from discovering that their arms are growing shorter as words become increasingly more difficult to read up close.

    This condition, called presbyopia, occurs as the eye gradually loses its ability to focus on objects close at hand causing you to hold small items at arms length.  Initially, this problem may only occur in dim lighting situations such as in restaurants but over time it will worsen until it is impossible to read or to carry out close work at all.

    If you are over 40, you're probably much more active than your parents were at your age. Biking, jogging, exercising and playing sports are just a few of the activities that today's Baby Boomers routinely enjoy.

    So it's no surprise that many 40-somethings and older Baby Boomers prefer contact lenses over glasses for their active lifestyles. 

    But once we reach our mid-40s, presbyopia makes it difficult to focus on near objects. Until recently, reading glasses were the only option available to contact lens wearers who wanted to read a menu or do other everyday tasks that require good near vision.

    But today, a number of multifocal contact lens options are available for you to consider. Multifocal contact lenses offer the best of both worlds: no glasses, along with good near and distance vision.

    Some multifocal contact lenses have a bifocal design with two distinct lens powers — one for your distance vision and one for near.

    Others have a multifocal design somewhat like progressive eyeglass lenses, with a gradual change in lens power for a natural visual transition from distance to closeup.

    Multifocal contacts are available in both soft and oxygen permeable lens materials and are designed for daily wear or extended (overnight) wear. Soft multifocal lenses can be comfortably worn on a part-time basis, so they're great for weekends and other occasions if you prefer not to wear them on an all-day, every day schedule.

    For the ultimate in convenience, one-day disposable soft multifocal lenses allow you to discard the lenses at the end of a single day of wear, so there's no hassle with lens care.

    For the ultimate in vision, oxygen permeable multifocal contact lenses provide sharper visual acuity than soft multifocals.  Another advantage to over-40 people, who are more susceptible than younger people to dry eye syndrome, is that oxygen permeable contact lenses don't contain water, and they don't absorb moisture from your eyes the way soft lenses will. They also resist collecting bits of protein and other debris from your tears much better than soft lenses. It's these deposits that can make soft lenses uncomfortable and scratchy, especially for dry-eye sufferers.

    This new generation of oxygen permeable multifocal contact lenses are designed using an instrument called a Corneal Topographer.  This instrument analyses your cornea and creates a virtual 3D map of the surface of your eye. 

    Using computer aided design / computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software, we design and create a lens that is a perfect fit.  In essence, we are creating a virtual mold of your eye which allows us to make a lens which is as individual to your eye as your fingerprints are to your hand.  Because these lenses are molded to the shape of your eye, they are exceptionally comfortable and they give the sharpest vision possible.

    With all of the new multifocal contact lens designs available today, an eye doctor who understands that one size does not fit all, can help you find the lenses that work best for you. 

    You may be over 40 but YES!  You Can Wear Contact Lenses! 

    Next month, we will discuss how you can get great vision without glasses, without contact lenses, without lasers and without risky surgery even if you are over 40!

    Dr. Thomas Weshefsky, Carolina Forest Family Eyecare - 3874 Renee Drive

Myrtle Beach, SC  29579 (843) 903-6262 Dr.W@CarolinaForestEyecare.com

Flip-Flops Tied to Surge in Teenage Heel Pain 

By Dr. Scott Hamilton DPM, FACFAS

Many of us are welcoming the warmer weather sporting flip-flop sandals; however, their popularity among teens and young adults is responsible for a growing epidemic of heel pain in this population, according to Dr. Scott Hamilton DPM, FACFAS a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

    “We’re seeing more heel pain than ever in patients 15 to 25 years old, a group that usually doesn’t have this problem,” says Hamilton. “A major contributor is wearing flip-flop sandals with paper-thin soles everyday to school. Flip-flops have no arch support and can accentuate any abnormal biomechanics in foot motion, and this eventually brings pain and inflammation.”

    Hamilton recommends wearing sandals with reasonably strong soles and arch support.

    “Especially for girls and young women, thicker soled sandals with supportive arches might not be considered stylish, but if you want to wear sandals most of the time, you’ll avoid heel pain if you choose sturdier, perhaps less fashionable styles,” He says.

    It is estimated that 15 percent of all adult foot complaints involve plantar fasciitis, the type of heel pain caused by chronic inflammation of the connective tissue extending from the heel bone to the toes. Being overweight and wearing inappropriate footwear are common contributing factors.

    The pain is most noticeable after getting out of bed in the morning, and it tends to decrease after a few minutes and returns during the day as time on the feet increases.  Not all heel pain, however, is caused by plantar fasciitis. It also can occur from inflammation of the Achilles tendon, bursitis, arthritis, gout, stress fractures, or irritation of one or more of the nerves in the region. Therefore, diagnosis by a foot and ankle surgeon to rule out other causes is advised.

    Initial treatment options for heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis should include anti-inflammatory medications, padding and strapping of the foot and physical therapy. Patients also should stretch their calf muscles regularly, avoid wearing flat shoes and walking barefoot, use over-the-counter arch supports and heel cushions, and limit the frequency of extended physical activities.

    Most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment within six weeks. However, surgery is sometimes necessary to relieve severe, persistent pain.  

    For further information about heel pain, contact Dr. Scott Hamitlon at (843) 449-8079, or visit www.coastalpodiatry.com.

   Women of higher socioeconomic status, married women, women living in urban versus rural areas, and women in northern states have the highest rates.

    Both genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role in a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. If either a woman's mother or sister has breast cancer, the risk is two or three times as great. If both a mother and a sister have breast cancer, the risk is up to five times as great. If that relative had bilateral breast cancer or was diagnosed at an early age, the risk may be further increased.

    To date, most inherited cases of breast cancer have been associated with two genes: BRCA1, which stands for BReast CAncer gene one, and BRCA2, or BReast CAncer gene two.

    The function of these genes is to keep breast cells growing normally and to prevent any cancer cell growth. But when these genes contain abnormalities, or mutations, they are associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may account for up to 10% of all breast cancers.

    Women diagnosed with breast cancer who have an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene often have a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or both. But it's also important to remember that most women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

    Identifying BRCA1 and BRCA2 has led to new techniques for detecting, treating and lowering the risk of breast cancer. For women who wish to be tested, we can now establish whether or not the two genes are normal.

    It is important to remember, however, that this simple blood test doesn’t test for, or indicate breast cancer. It tests for the existence of a BRCA gene mutation which provides important information in regard to hereditary risks. Knowing, instead of wondering, helps many women deal with the risk of breast cancer. It allows both them and their physicians to watch more closely for early signs of cancer.

    If a woman has a mutated BRCA2 gene, for example, she has up to an 84% chance of breast cancer by age 70 and up to a 27% chance of developing ovarian cancer by the same age. It also confers a 12% risk of a second breast cancer within five years of the first cancer. BRCA2 also confers a 6% risk of male breast cancer by age 70 and a 20% risk of prostate cancer by age 80.

    Coastal Carolina Breast Center performs testing to identify BRCA1 and BRCA2, but reminds women that the best prevention against breast cancer is early detection. The Center offers both screening and diagnostic digital mammography, breast ultrasound and a special "breast coil" used in conjunction with the large bore MRI for specific breast imaging, if needed. Recognized as a ‘Center of Excellence’, Coastal Carolina Breast Center is the area’s only facility to perform the HALO Breast Pap Test that may identify breast disease—often a precursor to cancer—up to eight years earlier than a lesion might be detected on a traditional mammogram.

Contributing Writers:

    Coastal Carolina Breast Center is the area’s only practice dedicated solely to breast health and is recognized as a Center of Excellence. Breast specialist, N. Craig Brackett, III, MD, FACS, joined in practice by Angela M. Mislowsky, MD, has treated an estimated 25,000 patients during the last fifteen years.  Their offices are located at the Imaging Center at Waccamaw Medical Park in Murrells Inlet and the Frances B. Ford Cancer Center in Georgetown, South Carolina. Physician referrals are not required.  For more information or to make an appointment, call (843) 651-3308 or visit them on the web at http://www.coastalbreastcenter.com/

“Hear’s” to YOU!

Can You Afford To Ignore Your Hearing Loss?

By Dr. Kimberly King,

Board Certified Audiologist

With the economy and unemployment in its present condition, it’s time to make known the dramatic link between hearing loss and earning potential.  What are the financial risks associated with unaddressed hearing loss?

    According to a recent study, people with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in income per year, depending on their degree of hearing loss.  The study also indicated the cost to society estimated to be as high as $26 billion in unrealized federal taxes.  Yet people are still under the assumption that they can fake their way through their work day picking up only partial conversations and filling in the missing blanks, perhaps inaccurately. 

    The risk of income loss was reduced when hearing aids were utilized as much as 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss.  It was also found that there is a strong correlation between degree of hearing loss and unemployment for those who do not wear hearing aids.  Those with a severe hearing loss showed unemployment rates (15.6%) double that of the normal-hearing population (7.8%) and nearly double that of their peers (8.3%) who use hearing aids.  The loss of income for people with untreated hearing loss due to underemployment is estimated at $176 billion.

    With the U.S. unemployment rates at a steady high and economic recovery slow, now more than ever, we need to get out and inform the community of the positive impact people can have on their own economic circumstances and quality of life, simply by identifying and appropriately addressing hearing loss.  Treating hearing loss early is critical for optimal job performance and career success.  And maximizing one’s ability to hear well should be part of any smart career strategy.

    How an employee is perceived by employers is effected by how he or she hears.  Employees who aren’t sure what an employer is asking can’t answer their best.  The ability to hear and listen well enables employees to be more productive.  They can better understand the work that has been assigned and the expectations that have been set.  And people who both hear and listen well are more likely to develop positive working relationships with bosses, clients, and colleagues.

    Unaddressed hearing loss is causing families added financial strain, and most don’t even realize it. With the data from this study, “The efficacy of hearing aids in achieving compensation equity in the workplace,” (Hearing Journal, October 2010) we’re hoping people will listen and take action to help themselves.  In the end, hearing better may mean earning more. 

    If you have concerns regarding your ability to hear, please contact Advanced Audiology and Hearing Aid Centers at (843) 663-4327 to schedule an appointment at one of our three convenient locations in North Myrtle Beach, Surfside, or Conway.