Tag: research

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Technique Uses Vibration to Better Diagnose Balance Disorders

Researchers have developed a novel vibration-based technique to more accurately diagnose balance disorders like Meniere’s disease, especially in aging adults.

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CILcare and ENT Clinical to Present ‘Key Success Criteria for Hearing (Pre)Clinical Trials’ Webinar on November 12

CILcare and its partner ENT Clinical announce that a webinar “Key Success Criteria for Hearing (Pre)Clinical Trials“—to be hosted by Dr Helen Blackshaw—will be presented by Professor Anne Schilder and Dr Wahid Awad on November 12, 6 PM CET.

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Research Addresses Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Pro Athletes

EarQ and The NFL Players Association’s Professional Athletes Foundation have continued the partnership’s research that examines the high incidence of hearing loss in former professional football players.

Scientists Have Identified Novel Gene in Deafness

by Christa Nuber | Feb 12, 2016 | Research | 0

The Wbp2 gene was found to be involved in progressive hearing loss during a large-scale mouse study, and also found to be involved in human deafness. The study also showed that hearing impairment is linked to hormonal signaling rather than to hair cell degeneration.

Issues in Cognitive Screenings by Audiologists

by Christa Nuber | Jan 21, 2016 | Research | 0

The discovery and management of cognitive issues, which may masquerade as or occur in tandem with hearing problems, allows the hearing healthcare professional to better address the global needs of the patient in a timely manner. In this article, Douglas Beck, Barbara Weinstein, and Michael Harvey advocate for the universal cognitive screening of patients aged 70 and older with hearing loss, even in the absence of obvious signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment.

Multi-channel Compression: Concepts and (Early but Timeless) Results

by Christa Nuber | Jan 20, 2016 | Research | 0

The authors look back at a study from 2000 that showed short time constants and a large number of independent compression channels reduced the temporal and spectral contrast of speech when using technology of that period. Additionally, in subjective paired comparisons, long time constants, low compression ratios, and a small number of compression channels were preferred in the investigated technology configuration by normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners.

Annual Audiological Evaluations Should Be Mandatory for Patients with Diabetes

by Christa Nuber | Dec 28, 2015 | Patient Care, Research | 1

Early diagnosis and intervention of hearing loss or listening related problems could help in providing better quality of life for individuals with diabetes mellitus. Annual audiological evaluations—which include testing of the peripheral as well as central auditory system—should be added to the list of routine or “standard of care” medical exams.

Our Perceptions Are Flawed, Says UCLA Study

by Christa Nuber | Dec 11, 2015 | Research | 1

According to a study from UCLA, our vision and hearing aren’t as reliable as we think. While many people view their sensory perceptions as flawless, thinking that to see is to believe, this is not necessarily so.

NIDCD Speaker Series: December Talk on How Research Is Preventing Hearing Loss

by Christa Nuber | Dec 2, 2015 | Events, Research | 0

The public is invited to a Thursday, December 10, 2015 talk titled “How NIDCD research is preventing or reversing hearing loss,” as part of the NIDCD Speaker Series. It is scheduled for 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Building 35A, Room 640, on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md. It will be given by Lisa Cunningham, PhD, chief, NIDCD Section on Sensory Cell Biology.

Damage-sensing Nerve Cells in Inner Ear Send Messages to Brain

by Christa Nuber | Nov 12, 2015 | Research | 0

According to new research from Johns Hopkins, some nerve cells in the inner ear can signal the brain about tissue damage in a way similar to pain-sensing nerve cells in the body. If the finding, discovered in rats, is confirmed in humans, it may lead to new insights into hyperacusis, an increased sensitivity to loud noises that can lead to severe ear pain.

Computer Program Predicts Success of Cochlear Implants in Children before Surgery

by Christa Nuber | Nov 2, 2015 | Research | 0

A new computer program that analyzes functional brain MRIs in hard of hearing children can predict whether they will develop effective language skills within two years after cochlear implant surgery. This could reduce the number of children who undergo the invasive procedure, only to be disappointed when cochlear implants do not deliver hoped-for results.

NFLPA, EarQ Investigate Hearing Loss Among Football Players

by Christa Nuber | Oct 28, 2015 | Events, Hearing Loss | 0

EarQ announced that following significant player participation at the 2015 NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) Conference in March, and the Chicago regional meeting in August, EarQ and the Professional Athletes Foundation (PAF) brought their hearing health research program to the New Orleans chapter of the NFLPA.

Study of Ancient Auditory Muscles Yields Clues to Hearing Deficits

by Christa Nuber | Oct 23, 2015 | Research | 0

A University of Missouri (MU) psychologist conducted a study review of human vestigial muscles behind the ears and determined that ancient neural circuits responsible for moving the ears may be responsive to sounds. Neuroscientists studying auditory function could use these nonfunctioning muscles to study infant hearing deficits.

An Audiological Journey in a Smaller World

by Christa Nuber | Oct 19, 2015 | Continuing Education | 0

Looking back on a eventful trip in 1960, Dr Jerger recounts the many friendships made during a trip overseas, and how those friendships influenced his career. The professional camaraderie he shared with international colleagues and insights he gained from them illustrate the advantages of growing up professionally in a smaller world.

JAMA Study Indicates Association between Hearing Impairment and Mortality

by Christa Nuber | Sep 24, 2015 | In the Ear, Research | 0

A September 24, 2015 article published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, proposes that, based on analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), hearing impairment has been associated with various negative health issues, and possibly earlier death for older adults.

Findings on Brain Plasticity after Vision Loss Offer Insight on Hearing Loss

by Christa Nuber | Aug 13, 2015 | Research | 0

Biologists at KU Leuven in Belgium have discovered a molecular “on-off switch” that controls how a mouse brain responds to vision loss, and their findings help inform our understanding of how the brain responds to hearing loss and hearing implants.

Better Targets Identified for Vaccine against Middle Ear Infections

by Christa Nuber | Aug 10, 2015 | Research | 0

Researchers have found that the bacterial pathogen Haemophilus influenzae, which causes otitis media, randomly changes gene expression, causing the bacteria to switch between two different cell types–this “moving target” is what has made vaccine development difficult in the past.

Research Suggests New Avenues for Music Training in Aural Rehabilitation

by Christa Nuber | Jul 30, 2015 | Research | 4

With the wealth of exciting research findings in the areas of neuroplasticity and music training, it increasingly appears likely that concepts related to music training can be applied to aural rehabilitation for numerous clinical populations.