The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 41 COVID patients today, 39 yesterday. Other significant numbers:

• 22 with the active virus today, 21 yesterday
• 2 in ICU, 0 yesterday
• 0 on a ventilator, 0 yesterday
• 19 hospitalized, but out of acute infection phase, 18 yesterday

Key points from today’s guests:

Dr. Kristina Fletcher, audiologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• Generally, people should get their hearing checked every 2-3 years. Hearing tests usually take about 10-15 minutes.
• They typically last 5-7 years and range in price from $2,000-$6,000 with a full service package from audiologists. That price includes testing and fitting the device -- it is important to make sure hearing aids fit properly.
• Prices are lower, ranging $300-$1,000, for over-the-counter hearing aids.
• Hearing aid innovation has come so far in the past few years. You basically have a computer in your ears.
• Some hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible to your cell phone, which is very convenient for many patients.
• Wearing hearing aids in both ears is important if you have hearing loss in both.

Dr. Jim Lin, ENT physician, The University of Kansas Health System

• People know they need a test when they have trouble understanding others due to background noise.
• There is a correlation between hearing loss and dementia. The use of hearing aids can help mitigate the effects of dementia.
• Until October of this year, hearing aids were highly regulated, which led to higher prices.
• The White House created a policy to provide hearing aids over-the-counter to patients.
• Audio trauma, such as a gunshot or firecracker, can lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Nationally, over the past two decades, earbuds are contributing to hearing loss at a younger age.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, director of infection control and prevention, The University of Kansas Health System

• COVID cases have been trending up at the Health System.
• Dr. Fauci said he is hoping to have a winter of COVID not as bad as last year across the country.
• Studies are showing COVID patients on Paxlovid have had 50 percent less chance of going to the hospital.
• Early studies are showing bivalent boosters led to a decrease in hospitalizations as well.

Monday, November 28 at 8:00 a.m. is the next live Morning Medical Update. Encore episodes will be available on Thanksgiving and Friday. On Monday, learn how treatment for rare face cancer led to a devastating colon diagnosis and then the lungs for a resilient patient who is now in the clear.

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