“Huh, What Did You Say?”

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 8 million people worldwide and at least 100,00 people in the U.S.A. This half hour presentation, designed for people living with SCD, will summarize how and why SCD can impact the hearing and balance mechanisms to cause hearing loss and dizziness/imbalance. The association between hearing loss and SCD has been confirmed but not frequently talked about. Newer evidence shows that damage to the balance system can also occur and will be discussed. The presentation will include recent national changes to hearing health care for those with SCD, treatment options for hearing loss and dizziness, and suggestions for “next steps” if participants are interested. Finally, this presentation will introduce your group to what is being done in the area of research and hearing loss/dizziness. If they are interested, they may contact me for further information (which will be provided). Questions from your group members are anticipated…