Archive 2008
Stem-cell and gene research may lead to new treatment options for hearing impairment.
Stem-cell and gene research contributed new knowledge about the ear and hearing in 2008. Gene mutations causing various kinds of hearing loss were identified, opening opportunities for the development of new treatment options for hearing impaired people in the future. The encouraging outlook for 2009 is for further discoveries in the exiting new areas of hearing research. Read more
Up to 10 times more people could benefit from cochlear implants
Technological improvements in cochlear implants have increased the group of severely and profoundly hearing impaired people who may benefit from implants, according to an article written by two Australian doctors in the Australian Family Physician periodical. Read more
Vitamins and magnesium may prevent noise-induced hearing loss
Experiments with guinea pigs indicated that certain combinations of vitamins and magnesium may reduce or even prevent noise-induced hearing loss. So far, the beneficial effects of high doses of vitamins and magnesium have been demonstrated in experiments with guinea pigs, conducted by researchers at University of Michigan in the United States. Read more
Trendier way to protect people’s ears
Young Britons are reluctant to wear earplugs because they find them unappealing or 'looking too medical'. For this reason The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) set up a competition to create a trendier way to protect people’s ears.
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Most missed sounds
The voice of a loved one is the sound most of us would miss more than any other if we lost our hearing. Read more
Researchers warning against cheap hearing aids
Cheap over-the-counter hearing aids are inadequate and may actually directly harm people’s hearing, according to scientists. Read more
EU directive requiring captioning for all public service TV programming
Directive issued by the European Parliament requires all future public service TV programmes to be closed captioned. Read more
Special road surface to dampen noise
A new road surface dampens road noise by 7dB, according to the readings from a pilot project on a highway near Augsburg, Bavaria. The noise reduction is achieved by using a new road surface structure with two layers and porous asphalt. Read more
Hearing loss hard on couples
Frustration and suspicions of selective hearing are among problems faced by married couples with one spouse suffering from hearing loss. Almost half of those questioned in a study about the effects of hearing loss stated that hearing impairment adversely affects their marriages. Read more
Discovery leading towards intelligent hearing aids
A discovery relating to how the brain discriminates between sound sources may ultimately result in the development of intelligent hearing aids. Read more
Hearing loss combined with other disabilities hard on teenagers
Hearing impaired teenagers who also cope with other disabilities are often troubled mentally and socially, according to a Swedish study. Prevention is the answer, say the scientists Read more
Zebrafish offering insights into hearing loss
Zebrafish and hearing loss may appear to be worlds apart. Yet, on its side stripes the zebrafish has hair cells functionally similar to those in the human inner ear, and studying the zebrafish is now adding to our knowledge about our vulnerability to hearing damage. Read more
Sudden hearing loss linked to stroke risk
Individuals who have been hospitalized with sudden hearing loss are at increased risk of suffering strokes later in life, according to a Taiwanese study. The reason is not known. Read more
Nigerian children lose hearing from untreated ear infections
Many cases of hearing loss in Nigerian children are the result of untreated or late diagnosed middle ear infections. Earlier diagnoses and treatment would prevent most of this hearing loss, but poverty is the main hindrance. Read more
Pentagon sponsoring tinnitus research
The US Department of Defense is allocating USD50 million research into tinnitus, a common affliction among veterans. Read more
Patients with arthritis prone to suffering from hearing loss
The prevalence of hearing loss among rheumatoid arthritis patients is higher than among the normal healthy population, according to a Spanish study. Read more
Can Botox cure tinnitus?
American researchers have discovered a potential cure for some instances of tinnitus in the nerve agent Botox. One in four tinnitus patients in a study experienced improvement in their symptoms following treatment with Botox. Read more
Campaign to prevent noise induced hearing loss at work
More than 14 percent of all workers in Cantabria, Spain, suffer from noise induced hearing loss Read more
Diabetics twice as likely to suffer hearing loss
American study confirmed that hearing loss is more prevalent among adult diabetics than in the general population. Read more
National hearing screening in newborns failing in Argentina
Up to 60 percent of newborns still do not undergo hearing screening in Argentina in spite of a law, enacted six years ago, mandating newborn hearing screenings. The law calls for all newborns to be screened for hearing loss before the age of three months in private or public health care centers. Read more
Cholesterol affecting hearing
It is well-known that cholesterol affects our cardio-vascular health. Now, American scientists have concluded that cholesterol also affects our hearing. Read more
Tinnitus takes toll on quality of life
Tinnitus has a clear impact on quality of life among adults. Almost one in four feels adversely affected by tinnitus.
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September 15, 2008:
Please, listen up!
Teenagers are well aware that loud music can damage their hearing, according to a Dutch survey. But the still ignore the risk. Read more
Some cars more noisy than others
Hearing aid users find it hard to use tele-coils in certain cars because they are too noisy. Read more
Hearing impaired youngsters more likely to be bullied
Youngsters with hearing loss are more likely to be the victims of bullying in school than their school mates with normal hearing, according to a Swedish study. The adverse consequences can affect the development of the victims. Read more
Cochlear implants improve quality of life
German study confirmed that hearing implant results in significant increase in quality of life. Read more
August 18, 2008, Germany:
Dangerous bouncer
A small device producing high pitched sounds and designed to chase youngsters away from entrance areas of stores and public places has long been used in Switzerland, and the device recently made its way into Germany, as well. But the noise is more than just unpleasant, it is damaging to young people’s hearing. Read more
Low birth weight increases risk of hearing loss
Children with a low birth weight are at increased risk of suffering from sensorineural hearing loss. A likely reason is that the ears may not be fully developed if the fetus grows slower than normal in the uterus. Read more
August 7, 2008; Namibia:
Help for hearing impaired Namibians
Forty percent of all hearing loss in Namibia could be prevented, according to the World Health Organization, WHO. Now there is new hope. ClaSH, The Association for Children with Language, Speech and Hearing Impairments was founded in Namibia with the aim of bringing information and awareness about hearing loss to the people, building a contact network and providing aids to hearing impaired people. Read more
Bad hearing affecting grades
One pupil in 10 in Hessen, Germany, was found to suffer from hearing damage, in a recent study. The study also found that the children with hearing difficulties had a lower grade point average than their school mates. Read more
July 14, 2008, Germany:
Tougher noise guidelines in Germany
Guidelines for noise levels and precautionary measures at music events and venues in Germany have been tightened. The duration of high noise levels is no longer a determining factor in noise protection. If the maximum recommended average noise level of 85 dB is exceeded, the event or venue operator must warn the audience or guests about the risk of hearing loss. Read more
Airbags save lives, damage hearing
An airbag can save your life in a car accident, but it may also cost you your hearing. Among people in accidents with airbags deploying, 17 percent suffer permanent hearing loss, according to an American study. Read more
Regenerating damaged hearing cells may be possible
The possibility of regenerating damaged hearing cells has been supported by fetal stem-cell research. Actual treatment based on new techniques may be far into the future, according to scientists. Read more
June 27, 2008, USA:
Hispanics with risky listening habits
Hispanics put their hearing far more at risk than does the general population in the U.S. when listening to personal digital stereos. Read more
June 13, 2008, Finland:
Hearing aids enhance quality of life
According to a Finnish study, 70 percent of people with untreated hearing loss feel handicapped. In contrast, many of those who overcome their reluctance to wear hearing aids experience significant improvements in their quality of life. Read more
May 30, 2008, USA:
Legislators weigh national tax credit for hearing aid
A drive to promote a national tax credit for Americans buying hearing aids is receiving widespread support among legislators in the United States Congress and hearing organizations across the USA. Read more
Classical musicians at extreme risk for hearing loss
An increasing number of classical musicians suffer from hearing loss, tinnitus and/or hyperacusis which may severely affect their professional and daily life. These conditions should be considered and treated as health care conditions. Read more
Hearing at risk in Mexico and Puerto Rico
Mexican and Puerto Rican adults make extended use of MP3 players and electronic devices alike. They are concerned about their hearing, yet they listen to music on these devices for long periods of time at high volume. Read more
Spain: One in ten schoolchildren with hearing loss
Ten percent of the school children in the Balearic Islands, Spain, hear below normal. Read more
May 8, 2008:
American soldiers lose hearing in war with insurgents and terrorists
Hearing damage is the no. 1 disability in the war on terrorism and the Iraq war, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Soldiers and Marines caught in roadside bombings and firefights in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home in epidemic numbers with permanent hearing loss and ringing in their ears. Read more
May 5, 2008:
Miners’ hearing at risk
Excessive noise levels in the mining industry causing hearing loss in mine workers. Read more
April 17, 2008, UK:
Hearing loss research drastically under-funded
Research into hearing loss pays off for society in general and for business. Yet, the British society and the medical industry invest very little in this field of research, charges RNID in the Lancet medical journal. Read more
April 15, 2008, Spain:
Airplane noise unbearable
Increasing numbers of landing airplanes are the source of extreme levels of noise pollution for the residents in the southern part of Valencia, Spain. Exposure to excessive noise may cause hearing loss. Read more
April 3, 2008, Sweden:
Major funding for noise research
New noise problems tend to appear just as others are being dealt with. More knowledge is needed, and it is of great importance to focus on noise in the workplace in order to limit hearing injuries and illnesses. Read more
Nursery school teachers wearing hearing protection
The noise in some Danish daycare institutions is so loud that the teachers must wear hearing protection. Read more
Hearing loss epidemic anticipated in young New Zealand generation
iPods, MP3 players and other personal stereos suspected of causing hearing loss among young New Zealanders. It may add up to a hearing loss epidemic, costing in terms of both loss of quality of life and money. Over the most recent five years the expenditures on hearing loss have doubled. Read more
Needlessly high prevalence of hearing loss in children of Sudan
Hereditary factors, damaging medication, and infections are causing hearing loss among the children of Sudan, according to a study. Researchers believe prevention would lower the prevalence. Read more
March 12, 2008, USA:
Raising awareness of noise induced hearing loss
Noise induced hearing loss affects too many young people mainly due to noisy listening habits. A public educational campaign, ‘Turn it To the Left”, calls for education and prevention to combat this entirely preventable scourge. Read more
March 10, 2008, Denmark:
Battle against construction noise
Far too many construction workers ask ”What?” far too often because of hearing damaging noise in construction sites. Read more
School noise hard on pupils
Noise levels at school are much too high. The children become tired, unfocused and stressed and have a hard time hearing what is being said. Read more
One in five French teenagers hearing impaired
Loud music from MP3 players, in discos and at rock concerts is damaging the hearing of French teenagers. As many as one in five among French teenagers suffer from hearing problems. Read more
MP3 players cause hearing loss at an early age
Loud music and long periods of listening wear the hearing down at an early age. A test showed that 45 out of 358 students at a prep school in the United States had significant hearing loss. The common denominator was that they all listened to MP3 players. Read more
February 18, 2008, New Zealand:
Compensation claims for work related hearing loss
Increasing numbers of New Zealanders file claims for work related hearing injuries. Growing numbers are awarded financial compensation. Read more
February 5, 2008, USA:
Mobile telephones for all
Whistling and buzzing sounds in their cell phones are part of every day life for many hearing aid users. Tougher cell phone requirements in the United States are solving this problem. Read more