Study: Sea Anemone Could Be The Key To Restoring Hearing Loss

Study: Sea Anemone Could Be The Key To Restoring Hearing Loss    

At the University of Lafayette, a study is being made with sea anemones, which have hair receptors similar to the one we have in our ears. This could be a breakthrough for patients who have lost hearing due to a sudden explosion or a loud noise. The anemones use the hair receptors to identify prey. Once they capture it, the prey destroys some of these receptors. To restore these receptors, they secrete a protein that repairs their structure. More info click here.

 

Hearing Loss Could Misguide A Dementia Diagnosis

Hearing Loss Could Misguide A Dementia Diagnosis    

Studies are suggesting that tinnitus can be related to dementia. In the case of Alzheimer’s, the problem is that the patient does not remember recent conversations. However, the reason might be because he never heard the conversation because of tinnitus. The suggestion would be to have a hearing test on probable cases of dementia. Additional information click here.

 

This Device Will Protect Your Ears From Excessive Volume, But Will Allow A Conversation

This Device Will Protect Your Ears From Excessive Volume, But Will Allow A Conversation    

Protection from high volume sounds is an issue for musicians and other persons who work in noisy environments. There is a new earplug that blocks all the high-volume sound but allows having a conversation with people around you. It also has a connection to a smartphone to adjust the level of protection. Click here for more info.

 

The Evolution Of Hearing Aids

The Evolution Of Hearing Aids    

Advances In Microelectronics And Batteries Have Made Them Virtually Invisible    

Hearing aids have been around in many forms, some very different from the modern devices actually available. The first ones were ear trumpets and conversation tubes, which resembled a trumpet connected to the ear canal, and did not amplify sound, they just collected it from the surroundings and directed into the ear canal. Afterward came the first electrical hearing aids based on a carbon microphone, which required bulky batteries and microphone. The same occurred with amplification devices based on vacuum tubes. With the transistors, the devices were much smaller. The next generation consisted of ear-level hearing aids, which were located behind the ears, with tubing connected to the ear canal. These allowed a more natural sound and could be used in both ears. Afterward, there were devices that resided in the ear canals, but were bulky and protruded from the ear. Actual models are so small they are virtually invisible, and can even be controlled via a smartphone application. More Information click here.

 

A Huge Percentage Of The Aging Population Will Have Hearing Problems

A Huge Percentage Of The Aging Population Will Have Hearing Problems    

However, Hearing Aid Technology Is Also Becoming More Affordable    

According to specialists, the number of aging adults with hearing loss that is expected to increase dramatically. One-third of the people of 65 to 74 years have hearing loss, and this condition also occurs in nearly half of people older than 75. However, there are advances in the technology of hearing aids. These devices might be similar to prosthetics – they wonk feel right at first because the sounds will be different. The mind must get accustomed to the new sounds. Also, hearing aids not only allow people to hear the world around them but also communicate with each other. Another advantage is that hearing aids are becoming less expensive. Additional details click here.

 

Tinnitus Is Generated By The Brain, Not By The Ears

Tinnitus Is Generated By The Brain, Not By The Ears    

There Are Tests To Locate End Treat The Brain Areas That Originate It    

Tinnitus is a perception of sound without an environmental source. It can happen in one or both ears. The sounds are similar to ringing, hissing, or buzzing and they may be constant or intermittent. Among the causes an acoustic neuroma, which is a benign tumor of the coating of the hearing nerve, or a dysfunction in the neuro-circuitry for hearing in the brain. This dysfunction may be located in the dorsal cochlear nucleus in the brainstem, which generates neurological activity spontaneously, and also can be located in non-auditory brain areas such as the frontal lobe, cerebellum, and the limbic system. There are procedures to evaluate treatments to stabilize these unhealthy regions of the brain, such as a neurological physical examination, VOG (video-oculography), audiometric testing (hearing tests), a computerized assessment of postural systems (CAPS) for balance, and imaging if necessary such as MRI. Click here for more information.

 

One Side Effect Of Chemotherapy Can Be Hearing Loss

One Side Effect Of Chemotherapy Can Be Hearing Loss    

A Research Showed A Substantial Percentage Of Patients Suffering From Hearing Loss 20 Years After The Treatment    

Chemotherapy treatments usually include drugs that lead to hair loss. However, in some cases, it can also result in hearing loss. A study on a test group revealed that after more than 20 years following the treatment, 90% of them had hearing loss. It has been known that some medications affect hearing. The cause is not clear because baseline hearing tests are not common for chemotherapy treatment. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the impact of the drug on hearing. Click here for more information.