According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, before the fluid of the middle ear drains and sound waves penetrate a developing ear for the first time, the inner ear cells of newborn rodents “practice” their ability to process sounds. The researchers show how hair cells in the inner ear can be activated in the absence of sound.
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According to Curtis Alcock, our traditional approach of labeling people as “in denial” clearly hasn’t been working, as evidenced by the minority adoption of hearing technology and the resistance experienced by hearing healthcare professionals in the initial appointment. We have a choice. We can continue as we have always done, looking for a future miracle in societal attitude change that will never happen. Or, we can start learning from the social sciences.
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US hearing aid sales increased by 4.2% in the third quarter of 2015, aided by a 5.6% increase in private-sector dispensing, according to statistics generated by the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), Washington, DC. Dispensing activity at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) was flat (-0.4%), dipping into negative territory for the first time in almost a decade (Q1 2006).
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Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers have shown that sound deprivation in adult mice causes irreversible damage to the inner ear. The findings, as outlined in the November 18, 2015 edition of PLoS One, suggest that chronic conductive hearing loss, such as that caused by recurrent ear infections, leads to permanent hearing impairment if it remains untreated.
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Researchers at UC Davis have shown that the California Tele-Audiology Program (CTP), which provides follow-up diagnostic evaluations for infants who did not pass their initial newborn hearing test, dramatically improves access to audiologists. Families with access to CTP had 100% participation in follow up evaluations.
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The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) announced that University of North Carolina Chapel Hill students Mark Moore and Sarah Obarowski earned first place honors and a $5,000 cash grant during the third annual ADA Student Business Plan Competition, held November 13, 2015 in Washington, DC.
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SoundCure Inc announced the receipt of a medical device license from Health Canada, a department of the Canadian government, for the SoundCure Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System. The medical license enables the SoundCure Serenade to be available in Canada.
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Sonova Holding AG announced its results for the first half of fiscal year 2015/16. Consolidated sales increased by 6.7% in local currencies or 1.3% in reported Swiss francs to CHF 1,003.2 million. The Group reported that sales in the US increased by 1.9% in local currency, negatively impacted by the ongoing weakness of its cochlear implants business.
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Recent advances in full-audio binaural beamforming have allowed for this technology to become available in small custom products. This paper reports on clinical trials revealing significant speech recognition improvement for this technology when employed in ITC and CIC custom instruments.
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This paper describes two aspects of hearing instrument signal processing that are important for providing the most advantageous auditory input to the individual, when higher processing and cognition are considered.
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A recent study assessed the capability of Phonak AutoSense OS to provide optimal and preferable listening in three complex, real-life listening environments: 1) A highly echoic room with presentation of speech from behind and noise interference, 2) a running car, and 3) a busy coffee shop. The findings suggest that AutoSense OS not only provides significantly greater ease of use than a manual program, but can also provide optimal hearing in challenging, realistic listening environments.
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On October 26, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released its official report to the President about hearing technologies and mild-to-moderate hearing loss in older adults. Since then, several key stakeholders have weighed in on the implications of the PCAST report with responses ranging from outright opposition to full support. Brian Taylor’s blog summarizes initial comments from stakeholders in the hearing healthcare field.
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According to a report from CNN senior producer Thom Patterson, a CNN digital short film profiles the Pedersen family, who were all born deaf, except the oldest child Kaleb, age 20. As the only hearing person in a Deaf family, Kaleb Pedersen says, “I’d rather be deaf.”
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In a public comment before the President’s Council on Science and Technology (PCAST), ASHA expressed grave concern and opposition to the Council’s recent recommendations related to accessibility to and affordability of hearing health care services. The PCAST recommendations included a new FDA classification of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.
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Save the date: The 14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Technologies (CI2016) is May 11-14, 2016, in Toronto, ON, Canada. CI2016 features speakers and international podium and poster sessions on research of cochlear implants and other implantable technologies across the age continuum.
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