Tornado Alley (PROG)

[PegnVA]

AZ, the discussion on those born deaf centered around the use of cochlear implants and a surgeon from John Hopkins who specializes in this type surgery offered the most information...Research on the connection between deafness and dementia was mentioned, but it is in the early stages and too soon to reach definitive conclusions, but it is interesting that hearing specialists believe there may be a connection.
With the U.S. population aging, I expect more research will be devoted to health issues afflicting the elderly. It is very dangerous when a U.S. pol party refuses to fund medical research and leaves that field to educated/progressive countries who would get a jump on inventing helpful medical instruments, such as the cochlear implant.

GOOGLE Charlie Rose Hearing Program for a summary of the program originally broadcasted on KQED...It's part of CR's series on the brain.