Archive 2011
December 19, 2011
Men hear better than women - at parties
Men are more capable of separating relevant sounds from background noise at parties, a German study has found. The reason may be that in the early days of humanity men were the ones who went hunting for food. Read more
December 15, 2011
Universal hearing screening for all children in Argentina by law
Hearing screening for all newborns will be universal and obligatory under the health care system of Argentina, as a result of the Law of Hearing Impairment passed in July 2011. Read more
December 7, 2011
India: Almost all cotton ginning workers have a hearing loss.
If you work in the Indian cotton ginning industry you are most likely to have a hearing loss. These workers are exposed to excessive noise and do not use ear protection, and this means that nearly 100% of the workers in the Indian cotton ginning industry have a hearing loss, a study has found. Read more
December 2. 2011
Tinnitus is 2.5 times more prevalent in those under stress
Researchers believe that there is a direct link between tinnitus and stress. Read more
November 28, 2011:
Hearing loss — a great disease burden, but very little research carried out.
Hearing loss affects more and more people. In 2031, 14.5 million Britons will be affected. WHO says that hearing loss will be one of the top 10 disease burdens in many countries and will have a great social and economic impact. Despite this, 40 times less money is used on research into hearing loss than on cardiovascular conditions per person affected. Read more
November 22, 2011:
Exostosis (Surfer’s ear)
Repeated exposure to cold wind and water may cause an abnormal growth of bone within the ear canal. This is called exostosis. Read more
November 16, 2011:
Distressing facts from Spain
One in five Spaniards admits to not being able to hear well. More than half of the population admits to never having their hearing tested. A Spanish prevention campaign is based on these alarming statistics. Read more
November 10, 2011:
Cotton swabs are not meant for ear cleaning
There is a direct association between using cotton swabs to clean your ears and ruptured eardrums, according to a study. Read more
November 7, 2011:
Untreated hearing loss may reduce brain volume
Researchers have found that the gray matter density of the auditory areas is lower in people with reduced hearing ability. Hearing aids will help to preserve the brain. Read more
November 2, 2011:
Hearing impaired Australians suffer in silence
More than half of the Australians with impaired hearing have done nothing about their condition, a study finds. Read more
October 31, 2011:
Being a musician may improve hearing
Many studies have shown that a good many musicians suffer from hearing loss as a result of the repetitive and constant noise they are exposed to. But playing a musical instrument can also have a positive effect on our hearing, according to a survey. Read more
October 25, 2011:
Many do not talk about their hearing loss
Many people with hearing loss choose to keep their problems to themselves, and therefore do not get the support and help in the workplace that they require. This can lead to early retirement. Read more
October 19, 2011:
The inner ear functions like a short-term memory
Researchers have found that sounds create after-vibrations in our inner ear. These vibrations, in all probability, function like a form of short-term memory. Read more
October 13, 2011:
Passive Smoking is closely linked to hearing loss in teens
A study carried out by American researchers reveals that second-hand smoke can affect hearing development and lead to hearing loss in adolescents. There are plenty of other health problems, other than lung problems, that are under suspicion. Read more
October 11, 2011:
People with black skin better protected against hearing loss
The explanation as to why black skinned people hear better than people with white skin may lie in the cell pigment in their skin, which produces the skin-protecting melanin. Read more
October 6, 2011:
A new and better hear-it.org
Hear-it has undergone a make-over. At the same time, a Portuguese version of hear-it has been launched for the 50 million Portuguese-speakers who have hearing loss and their relatives. Read more
October 5, 2011:
Saliva test spots hearing loss virus in newborns
A saliva test has shown to be much more effective in screening for Cytomegalovirus in newborns than the traditional test, a study shows. Read more
September 28, 2011:
High frequency of ear infections among Aboriginals
In Australia, four out of five Aboriginal babies suffer from ear infections that can cause hearing loss. 20% of Aboriginal children also suffer from ruptured ear drums. Read more
September 26, 2011:
Tinnitus — More than a hearing problem
Researchers have found that the ringing sound of tinnitus is produced by the brain, as it overcompensates for a hearing loss. Read more
September 19, 2011:
Injectable treatment for sudden hearing loss
A study has shown that an injectable treatment for sudden hearing loss is just as effective as the usual oral medication — and with fewer side effects. Read more
September 14, 2011:
Queen drummer Roger Taylor reliant on hearing aids
A long life as a musician in the rock band Queen has left its mark on drummer Roger Taylor’s hearing, but the rocker is still active. Read more
September 9, 2011:
Scotland: Patients lacking understanding and information
Patients’ experiences with audiology departments are not always the same as their wishes and needs. Those are the findings of a Scottish report. Read more
September 5, 2011:
Smoke alarms for the deaf and hearing impaired
Every year, smoke alarms save lives, and they have proven to be an excellent investment. But a smoke alarm is only of value if it can actually be heard. Read more
September 1, 2011:
Clownfish risk going deaf
The charming little clownfish — known by many from the film Finding Nemo — is at risk of becoming deaf if the pH-level in the oceans continues to fall. Read more
August 12, 2011:
Hearing aids running on methanol
In just a short time, hearing aid batteries could be replaced by a drop of methanol. Read more
August 12, 2011:
Hearing loss increases the risk of incapacity benefit
People who have been sick because of hearing problems have a greater risk of becoming disability pensioners than others who are sick. Those are the findings of a study in Sweden. Read more
August 9, 2011:
Drug cocktail has positive impact on hearing loss in mice
A study with mice has identified a low-dose, two-drug cocktail that reduces hearing loss, when given to the mice before exposure to loud noise, as well as treating hearing loss, when given to them after the exposure. Read more
August 1, 2011:
High rates of hearing loss — even for those in middle age
Among people aged 45 to 54, one in nine shows signs of hearing impairment, a US study reveals. In general, one in seven has lost some degree of hearing. Read more
July 26, 2011:
Joey Jordison forced off the stage by tinnitus
Joey Jordison, the guitarist and drummer of the well-known American heavy metal band Slipknot, has suffered from severe tinnitus for the last two years. Read more
July 14, 2011:
Deaf children put on an opera
Happy days, sound all around, deaf children all over the place and an opera singer in a bright orange dress are just some of the elements which are involved in a somewhat unconventional opera. Read more
July 7, 2011:
Rebooting the brain may stop tinnitus
Rats who received nerve stimulation in the presence of music had their tinnitus eliminated. Read more
June 30, 2011:
Testing for hearing loss often stops with the family doctor
Every other hearing impaired person does not receive the correct audiological examination. Family doctors should send their patients to a professional when the patient complains of hearing impairment. Read more
June 22, 2011:
Healthcare professionals know too little about tinnitus
It may be difficult to get help from healthcare professionals if you suffer from tinnitus, a survey from Northern Ireland shows. Read more
June 15, 2011:
Our brains turn up the volume when we speak
Neurons in different parts of our brain decide what we hear. Read more
June 9, 2011:
Internet telephones can help the hearing impaired
A study has confirmed what many hearing impaired people have long known: That conversations on internet telephones are easier to understand than those on traditional telephones. Read more
June 7, 2011:
Students unaware of their hearing loss
The prevalence of hearing loss among students is greater than expected, and this can affect their ability to learn. Read more
June 1, 2011:
Hearing loss widespread among elderly
Increased age and male gender seems to heighten the occurrence of hearing loss. Read more
May 25, 2011:
Nasal stem cells may cure early-onset hearing loss
Hearing has been restored in mice using nasal stem cells. Read more
May 18, 2011:
Dutch teenagers put their hearing at risk
Listening habits exceed standards for occupational noise exposure. Read more
May 12, 2011:
High street shops losing the hearing impaired
Many high street shops in the UK do not provide looping systems for people with hearing loss. And among those who do, many are out of order. This may be so in other countries as well. Read more
May 9, 2011:
Calorie restriction may delay age-related hearing loss
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US have succeeded in delaying age-related hearing loss in mice by restricting their intake of calories. Read more
May 2, 2011:
Using hearing aids - Doctor’s opinion important
GPs and ENTs have a great influence on people’s decision to use hearing aids. Read more
April 27, 2011:
Chemicals and noise: a dangerous cocktail
Workers exposed to both chemicals and noise should wear both respiratory protection and hearing protection. Read more
April 19, 2011:
Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer often results in poorer hearing
Nearly three quarters of those who underwent radiation therapy for head and neck cancer experienced a hearing loss, a study shows. Read more
April 13, 2011:
Hearing impaired lack knowledge about the funding of hearing aids
In the United Kingdom, Germany and France there is a lack of knowledge as to the economical terms for getting hearing aids. Read more
April 8, 2011:
Hearing loss in teen girls on the rise
Research shows that teen girls are now suffering from hearing loss almost to the same degree as boys. Read more
April, 4, 2011:
Hearing loss causes tinnitus
The degree of noise-induced hearing loss influences the severity of tinnitus. Read more
March, 30, 2011:
Hearing aids - Seven battery tips
Here’s how to make your batteries last longer. Read more
March, 23, 2011
Two genes, two types of protein and two types of hearing loss
Research has shown how hearing loss differs depending on which proteins are lost. Read more
March, 16, 2011
Many positive impacts of using hearing aids
Hearing aids make a great difference, especially in relations with significant others. Read more
February, 27, 2011:
Tinnitus common in Nigeria
Tinnitus among Nigerians is mostly associated with treatable health conditions. Read more
February 23, 2011:
One in eight says: Yes, I have a hearing loss
One in eight adult Europeans say that they have a hearing loss. But two out of three Europeans do not use hearing aids. Those are the results of a study carried out in Germany, England and France. Read more
February 17, 2011:
Passive smoking may result in hearing loss
Passive smoking affects both former smokers and people who have never smoked. Read more
February 14, 2011:
Listening to MP3 players can harm hearing
Listening to an MP3 player at a high volume for an extended period of time Read more
February 2, 2011:
Folate may reduce or delay hearing loss
At least three surveys indicate that folate may benefit your hearing. Read more
January 27, 2011:
More young people suffer from hearing loss
40% of those diagnosed with hearing problems are below 40, figures from Singapore show. Read more
January 24, 2011:
Eat potato chips and lose your hearing
New potato chip bags are good for the environment, but bad for your hearing. The bags are 128 times noisier than ordinary chip bags. Read more
January 19, 2011:
New drug can possibly help tinnitus
A new drug can help ease the discomfort of tinnitus when pumped into the inner ear, according to a recent study. Read more
January 12, 2011:
Young Aussies get noise overdose
Many young Aussies are exposed to dangerously loud music. The noise exceeds what is allowed on building sites and one in three is unaware that hearing loss is permanent. Read more
January 6, 2011:
Hearing screening in children — the earlier, the better
Screening for hearing problems within the first weeks of life benefits children. Read more
January 3, 2011:
Omega-3 may protect against hearing loss
Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, and the fish which provide them, may reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss, according to a study from the University of Sydney. Read more