ScienceDaily: Hearing Loss News

Echolocation: Blind people have the potential to use their 'inner bat' to locate objects, study finds

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:48:48 EDT

New research shows that blind and visually impaired people have the potential to use echolocation, similar to that used by bats and dolphins, to determine the location of an object. The study examined how hearing, and particularly the hearing of echoes, could help blind people with spatial awareness and navigation.

Brain makes call on which ear is used for cell phone

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:16 EDT

If you're a left-brain thinker, chances are you use your right hand to hold your cell phone up to your right ear, according to a newly published study. The study shows a strong correlation between brain dominance and the ear used to listen to a cell phone.

First corneal transplant with pre-loaded donor tissue

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:58:58 EDT

The first successful cornea transplant with donor endothelial tissue preloaded by an eye bank has been performed.

Concert cacophony: Short-term hearing loss can be protective, not damaging, researchers find

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:23:23 EDT

Contrary to conventional wisdom, short-term hearing loss after sustained exposure to loud noise does not reflect damage to our hearing: Instead, it is the body's way to cope. The landmark finding could lead to improved protection against noise-induced hearing loss in future.

Regaining proper hearing at last

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:12:12 EDT

Around 17 million people in Germany suffer from impaired hearing. For many of them, their hearing is so damaged that a standard hearing aid is no longer enough. A new device will improve patients’ hearing and can be implanted during outpatient surgery.

Protecting ears from hearing loss: Primary role of olivocochlear efferent system discovered

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:35:35 EDT

New research may have discovered a key piece in the puzzle of how hearing works by identifying the role of the olivocochlear efferent system in protecting ears from hearing loss.

'Evolutionary glitch' possible cause of childhood ear infections

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:14:14 EDT

Researchers have uncovered how the human ear is formed, giving clues as to why children are susceptible to infections such as glue ear.

Rapid hearing loss may be a symptom of rare Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:55:55 EDT

Rapid hearing loss in both ears may be a symptom of the rare but always-fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and should be considered a reason for clinicians to test for the disorder.

Mom's sensitivity helps language development in children with hearing loss

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:34:34 EST

Psychologists demonstrate the impact sensitive parenting has on language growth for children who receive cochlear implants.

Putting HiFi into cochlear implants

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:02:02 EST

Scientists have developed a way to reprogram cochlear implants that dramatically improves the quality and clarity of users’ hearing.

Now hear this: Forerunners of inner-ear cells that enable hearing identified

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:12:12 EST

Researchers have identified a group of progenitor cells in the inner ear that can become the sensory hair cells and adjacent supporting cells that enable hearing.

Using 3-D printing and injectable molds, bioengineered ears look and act like the real thing

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:47:47 EST

Bioengineers and physicians have created an artificial ear -- using 3-D printing and injectable molds -- that looks and acts like a natural ear, giving new hope to thousands of children born with a congenital deformity called microtia. Scientists have described how 3-D printing and injectable gels made of living cells can fashion ears that are practically identical to a human ear. Over a three-month period, these flexible ears grew cartilage to replace the collagen that was used to mold them.

Resveratrol shows promise to protect hearing, cognition

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:17:17 EST

Resveratrol, a substance found in red grapes and red wine, may have the potential to protect against hearing and cognitive decline, according to a new study.

Clinical trial of medication to treat NF2 tumors starting soon

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:17:17 EST

Researchers are recruiting patients for a Phase II clinical trial to test a medication that may slow the progression of Neurofibromatosis Type-2, commonly referred to as NF2.

Noisy classroom simulation aids comprehension in hearing-impaired children

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:50:50 EST

Training the brain to filter out background noise and thus understand spoken words could help the academic performance and quality of life for children who struggle to hear, but there's been little evidence that such noise training works in youngsters. A new report showed about a 50 percent increase in speech comprehension in background noise when children with hearing impairments followed a three-week auditory training regimen.

Scientists prevent development of deafness in animals engineered to have Usher syndrome

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:28:28 EST

Most cases of congenital deafness are due to a mutation in a gene that is required for normal development of the sensory hair cells in the inner ear that are responsible for detecting sound. To cure deafness caused by such mutations, the expression of the gene must be corrected, a feat that has been elusive until recently.

Researchers develop Rx for deafness, impaired balance in mouse model of Usher syndrome

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:39:39 EST

In a new study, researchers report that hearing and balance can be rescued by a new therapy in a mouse model of Usher syndrome (Usher) that contains the mutation responsible for type 1C Usher. The results provide the first evidence that congenital deafness can be effectively overcome by treatment early in development to correct gene expression.

Discovering the missing 'LINC' to deafness

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:39:39 EST

50 percent of hearing loss is linked to genetic mutations. Now a researcher has discovered a significant mutation in a family of proteins that could lead to new treatments for hearing disorders.

FDA approves clinical trial of auditory brainstem implant procedure for children in U.S.

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:13:13 EST

The House Research Institute and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given final approval to begin a clinical trial of an Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) procedure for children. The trial is a surgical collaboration sponsored by the House Research Institute in partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Vittorio Colletti, MD of the University of Verona Hospital, Verona, Italy.

Hearing loss accelerates brain function decline in older adults

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:17:17 EST

Older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than older adults whose hearing is normal, according to a new study.

Hearing-loss-prevention drugs closer to reality thanks to new test

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:33:33 EST

A new way to test anti-hearing-loss drugs in people could help land those medicines on pharmacy shelves sooner. Researchers have figured out the longstanding problem of how to safely create temporary, reversible hearing loss in order to see how well the drugs work.

Stress makes exhausted women over-sensitive to sounds

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:55:55 EST

Women suffering from stress-related exhaustion exhibit hypersensitivity to sounds when exposed to stress. In some cases, a sound level corresponding to a normal conversation can be perceived as painful.

New implant replaces impaired middle ear

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:25:25 EST

Functionally deaf patients can gain normal hearing with a new implant that replaces the middle ear. The unique invention has been approved for a clinical study.

Music from the ear: Researchers show how an objective audiometric test can become even more reliable

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:54:54 EST

Not only can the human ear detect sounds, it can also generate them. If the ear hears the two upper tones of a major triad, it produces the fundamental of the chord which can then be measured. This phenomenon, called "otoacoustic emission" (OAE), is used by otologists for objective audiometric tests, e.g. in newborns. Researchers have shown that an OAE audiometric test becomes even more reliable if the two sounds are transmitted to the ear not via a loudspeaker, but by bone conduction.

Sensory hair cells regenerated, hearing restored in noise-damaged mammal ear

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:42:42 EST

Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that hair cells can be regenerated in an adult mammalian ear by using a drug to stimulate resident cells to become new hair cells, resulting in partial recovery of hearing in mouse ears damaged by noise trauma. This finding holds great potential for future therapeutic application that may someday reverse deafness in humans.

Speaking skills crucial for hearing impaired children in the classroom

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:07:07 EST

New research shows that the successful integration of hearing-impaired children into hearing classrooms is dependent upon how well the child can speak. Children with hearing loss, their parents, and their teachers can aid successful integration by focusing on speech development.

Novel laser technique reveals how the inner ear amplifies sound

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:02:02 EST

Researchers have described how the ear amplifies incoming sound using an innovative laser technique.

Earphones, music players on kids' holiday gift lists? Add a hearing screening

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:13:13 EST

Parents are loud and clear: they overwhelmingly support required hearing screenings for kids all the way to age 17, according to a new poll.

Scientists identify molecules in the ear that convert sound into brain signals

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:19:19 EST

Scientists have identified a critical component of the ear-to-brain conversion -- a protein called TMHS. This protein is a component of the so-called mechanotransduction channels in the ear, which convert the signals from mechanical sound waves into electrical impulses transmitted to the nervous system.

What sound? Popular music devices could be dialing up hearing losses

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST

The popularity of personal music devices like iPods and other MP3 players and their lack of sound-limiting controls has an ear specialist concerned. These devices, when combined with attached ear buds and headphones, can generate sound levels up to 115 decibels, well above the highest level of 85 decibels recommended by most hearing experts.

Brain waves make waves

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:33:33 EST

Naturally, our brain activity waxes and wanes. When listening, this oscillation synchronizes to the sounds we are hearing. Researchers have found that this influences the way we listen. Hearing abilities also oscillate and depend on the exact timing of one’s brain rhythms. This discovery that sound, brain, and behavior are so intimately coupled will help us to learn more about listening abilities in hearing loss.

Diabetic patients have higher prevalence of hearing impairment

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:32:32 EST

Patients with diabetes have a significantly higher prevalence of hearing impairment than patients without diabetes, according to a recent.

Medical devices powered by the ear itself

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:17:17 EST

For the first time, researchers power an implantable electronic device using an electrical potential -- a natural battery -- deep in the inner ear.

Software improves quality of sound for hearing aid users

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:16:16 EST

New software could greatly improve sound perception for users of hearing aids. The software prescribes the amount of amplification of high-frequency sounds required to restore the audibility of such sounds. This increases the frequency range of sound that individuals with hearing loss are able to detect, improving speech perception, sound localisation and the ability to hear certain musical sounds, when compared with current methods.

Firm molecular handshake needed for hearing and balance

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:29:29 EST

Researchers have mapped the precise 3-D atomic structure of a thin protein filament critical for cells in the inner ear and calculated the force necessary to pull it apart. These findings show the characteristics of the most vulnerable area of a structure called the tip link, and open avenues for research in fields related to noise-induced hearing loss and certain genetic diseases.

Etiologic diagnosis of nonsyndromic genetic hearing loss in adult vs pediatric populations

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:04:04 EST

Genetic testing for a certain mutation in pediatric patients is valuable in determining a cause for unexplained hearing loss, according to a new study.

New way to prevent recurrent ear infections?

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:13:13 EDT

Eliminating bacteria’s DNA and boosting antimicrobial proteins that already exist may help prevent middle ear infections from reoccurring. These are the findings from a new study that examined how an immune defense protein common in the middle ear interacts with a structure meant to protect a colony of bacteria.

Working towards a better hearing aid

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 09:37:37 EDT

Twenty per cent of hearing aid users in Norway use the equipment for only an hour each day. The reason is often poor fitting and inadequate support. Now all this could change.

Gene mutation linked to old age hearing loss identified

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:08:08 EDT

Researchers have identified a genetic mutation linked to age-related hearing loss, a discovery that can lead to better prevention measures.

New findings on the workings of the inner ear

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:34:34 EDT

The sensory cells of the inner ear have tiny hairs called stereocilia that play a critical part in hearing. It has long been known that these stereocilia move sideways back and forth in a wave-like motion when stimulated by a sound wave. After having designed a microscope to observe these movements, a research team in Sweden has discovered that the hairs not only move sideways but also change in length.

Gene that causes a form of deafness discovered

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:21:21 EDT

Researchers have found a new genetic mutation responsible for deafness and hearing loss associated with Usher syndrome type 1.

Hearing brains are 'deaf' to disappearance of sounds, study reveals

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:47:47 EDT

Our brains are better at hearing new and approaching sounds than detecting when a sound disappears, according to a new study. The findings could explain why parents often fail to notice the sudden quiet from the playroom that usually accompanies the onset of mischief.

Leptin may play a role in hearing and vision loss, zebrafish study suggests

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:30:30 EDT

Leptin -- commonly dubbed the "fat hormone" -- does more than tell the brain when to eat. A new study shows that leptin may play a role in hearing and vision loss. This discovery, made in zebrafish treated to produce low leptin, could ultimately help doctors better understand sensory loss in humans.

Two bionic ears are better than the sum of their parts

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:04:04 EDT

Researchers have discovered that children who had lost their hearing at a young age and were later provided with bilateral cochlear implants exhibited hearing similar to that of their normal hearing peers. The study adds important information to the body of research on how brain function is impacted by both deafness and rehabilitation.

Is magnetic therapy effective for tinnitus?

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:47:47 EDT

Loyola University Medical Center is studying whether a new form of non-invasive magnetic therapy can help people who suffer debilitating tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), sends short pulses of magnetic fields to the brain. TMS has been approved since 2009 for patients who have major depression and have failed at least one antidepressant.

Doctors not always using reliable websites for tinnitus information, study finds

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:53:53 EDT

Doctors are not always using the most comprehensive and reliable online resources to support them in treating patients with the debilitating hearing condition tinnitus, researchers have found.

Hearing impaired ears hear differently in noisy environments

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:19:19 EDT

The world continues to be a noisy place, and researchers have found that all that background chatter causes the ears of those with hearing impairments to work differently.

Preventing noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus in soldiers

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:17:17 EDT

Antioxidants, dietary supplements and high-tech brain imaging are among some of the novel strategies that may help detect, treat and even prevent noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus among American troops, according to researchers.

Earphones potentially as dangerous as noise from jet engines, researchers find

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 06:47:47 EDT

Turning the volume up too high on your headphones can damage the coating of nerve cells, leading to temporary deafness, scientists have shown. Earphones or headphones on personal music players can reach noise levels similar to those of jet engines, the researchers said.

Cause of death of photoreceptor cells in retinitis pigmentosa elucidated

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:22:22 EDT

Research has for the first time identified the mode of death of cone photoreceptor cells in an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa. This groundbreaking study has further identified the receptor interacting protein kinase pathway as a potential target for developing treatment for vision loss in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Gene therapy holds promise for reversing congenital hearing loss

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:22:22 EDT

A new gene therapy approach can reverse hearing loss caused by a genetic defect in a mouse model of congenital deafness, according to a preclinical study. The findings present a promising therapeutic avenue for potentially treating individuals who are born deaf.

Deaf brain processes touch differently: Lacking sound input, the primary auditory cortex 'feels' touch

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:17:17 EDT

People who are born deaf process the sense of touch differently than people who are born with normal hearing, according to new research. The finding reveals how the early loss of a sense -- in this case hearing -- affects brain development.

Can you hear me now? New strategy discovered to prevent hearing loss

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:43:43 EDT

Concerned about hearing loss because of noise exposure? New research may help. Scientists show that AMPK activates a channel protein in the cell membrane allowing potassium to leave the cell. This protects inner ear sensory cells from permanent damage following acoustic noise exposure. This may result in therapies to treat trauma resulting from extreme noise, especially in people with AMPK gene variants that may make them more vulnerable.

Sounds of summer can be a danger to hearing

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:29:29 EDT

Hearing can be permanently damaged by loud summer noises such as fireworks, marching bands, construction and the like. An audiologist explains decibels for common sounds and offers tips and expertise to safeguard hearing.

Children exposed to HIV in the womb at increased risk for hearing loss

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:40:40 EDT

Children exposed to HIV in the womb may be more likely to experience hearing loss by age 16 than are their unexposed peers.

Brain area identified that determines distance from which sound originates

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:31:31 EDT

Researchers have identified a portion of the brain responsible for determining how far away a sound originates, a process that does not rely solely on how loud the sound is.

Kill the germs, spare the ears: Encouraging study shows how

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:28:28 EDT

The world needs new antibiotics to overcome the ever-increasing resistance of disease-causing bacteria – but it doesn’t need the side effect that comes with some of the most powerful ones now available: hearing loss. Researchers report they have developed a new approach to designing antibiotics that kill even “superbugs” but spare the inner ear.

Between ear and brain, an orderly orchestra of synapses

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:52:52 EDT

A new study finds that the ear delivers sound information to the brain in a surprisingly organized fashion.

Nowhere to hide: New device sees bacteria behind the eardrum

Tue, 29 May 2012 18:27:27 EDT

Doctors can now get a peek behind the eardrum to better diagnose and treat chronic ear infections, thanks to a new medical imaging device. The device could usher in a new suite of non-invasive, 3-D diagnostic imaging tools for primary-care physicians.