Hearing Health Blog Archive
After the marriage he confided to my mom that he had developed a mild to moderate sound intolerance from frequent loud exposures in his construction job, from bulldozers, claw hammers, jackhammers, etc.
George Arthur Gates, M.D., the inaugural medical director of Hearing Health Foundation’s Hearing Restoration Project (HRP), passed away on February 8, 2025.
In audiology, we describe listening environments using the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The signal is what you want to hear—like your conversation partner—and noise is everything you don’t want to hear.
As someone hard of hearing, I intimately understand the challenges of a world not always designed for me. This drives my mission to advocate for better access and representation.
While significant challenges remain, ongoing efforts in genetic research, immunology, and clinical trials offer hope for better management and potential cures for Ménière’s disease in the future.
Because of the increased network depth, upscaled input resolution, and the ability to perform well in a limited data setting, our new imaging model aided by machine learning outperformed previous state-of-the-art models predicting cochlear implant success outcomes.
Even though I may not hear every note perfectly, playing in a band has been a powerful experience. I connect with music not just through the sound of my trumpet but through feeling, vibration, and the very essence of music itself.
As always we are so thrilled to meet and catch up with our funded scientists, past and present, at this important research conference.
“Mara Hears in Style” is the book I wish my three children had when they were young and newly diagnosed with hearing loss. I wrote the book so that children who wear hearing aids will see themselves in a book and be seen, but I also wanted Mara's character to be relatable to all children.
Despite challenges, the potential of machine learning to improve cochlear implant outcomes is clear. By refining models, improving data quality, and addressing ethical concerns, we can move toward a future where CIs are more personalized and effective.
The impact of noise on hearing depends on both volume and duration. The louder the noise, the faster it can cause damage.
This research shows that it is possible to design gene therapies for the ear that are carefully targeted at supporting cells, an essential first step in applying targeted gene therapies to treat hearing loss in humans.
Our friends at Help America Hear want to share that their high school scholarship competition is open for high school seniors with hearing loss using hearing aids, cochlear implants, or bone anchored hearing aids. The essay application is due March 30.
One cost assessment method that has been increasingly used in medical literature is called “time-driven activity-based costing.” TDABC allows for a detailed step-by-step analysis of a process and its costs, which helps identify opportunities for reducing unnecessary costs and streamlining the process.
In the United States, assistive listening systems are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to give people with hearing loss the clarity that is impossible to receive with hearing instruments alone.
Sound hypersensitivity disorders are conditions that disrupt a person’s ability to participate in normal daily activities due to physical discomfort, emotional distress, or excessive fear triggered by everyday sounds.
In 2018, while serving time in a New York prison, I committed to a path of self-reinvention and education. Despite the challenges of living with genetic disorders, a speech impediment, and a history of adversity, I made the decision to change my life by learning.
If you have a disability that prevents you from working, Social Security can help. Here's how.
As parents, the sooner we acknowledge that the situation feels tough or overwhelming—and accept that it’s okay not to have all the answers—the sooner we can come to terms with the world of hearing loss and embrace it.
New research reveals the unique patterns of gene expression in specific neurons in the brain that process the signals of sound and enable communication.
Digital hearing aids can, indeed, change some sounds, making them slightly sharp or flat. Here’s how to fix it.
This study suggests that this class of neurons may compensate for age-related loss of vestibular function to maintain balance performance in older animals.
A review of a memoir by Abigail Heringer, the first deaf contestant on “The Bachelor”
Future treatments for hearing loss—including gene therapy—could come to rely on a tiny 3D-printed microneedle.
From motherhood to Mexican streets, my world is expanding even as my hearing and vision diminish.
By understanding which AAV serotype works best for delivering genetic instructions to specific brain cells and sharing this information in an open-access journal, researchers can design better experiments and potentially develop treatments for brain-related conditions.
During this season of giving, we’re proud to remind our community that Hearing Health Foundation consistently earns top ratings from trusted charity watchdogs.
There are simple strategies we can all embrace to create a more inclusive holiday experience that everyone can enjoy and to ensure our loved ones truly feel the love and joy we have for them.
I wanted to create a story that not only celebrated the beauty of differences but also conveyed the importance of empathy and understanding. My heart was set on crafting a tale that could empower children with hearing loss while also educating their peers about the significance of inclusivity.
The findings suggest that blast injuries cause excessive activation of PARP1, which disrupts the brain’s natural ability to manage stress and inflammation. This reduces the activity of sirtuins, which help regulate cell repair and stress responses.