Promoting Research to Improve Hearing Health - Seven Questions - ARMY Magazine - Dec 2015

Promoting Research to Improve Hearing Health

ClaireSchultzistheCEOofHearing Health Foundation (HHF), a 501(c)(3) tax- exempt organization committed to ensuring the public—especially service members, veterans and their families—have the opportunity to enjoy life without hearingloss and tinnitus.

1. What is Hearing Health Foundation’s mission?
   
   HHF’s mission is to prevent and cure hearing loss and tinnitus through groundbreaking research, and to promotehearing health. Through our Hearing Restoration Project, we are working on a biological cure for hearing loss and tinnitus for millions of Americans—including hundreds of thousands of military service members and veterans.
   

2. What military-specific initiatives has HHF worked on?
   
   In 2012, we joined the DoD’s Hearing Center of Excellence as a partner through general outreach, radio programs and co-authored articles. We share many of the same goals in raising awareness, providing resources and information, and continually improving the health and quality of life of service members and veterans.
   
   In 2014, HHF launched an online campaign geared toward veterans to provide information and resources about tinnitus treatments and the Hearing Restoration Project’s efforts, and including links to expert content in our magazine and to other hearing and veteran-related organizations and associations. [Visit http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/veterans.]
   
   Pharmaceutical intervention for hearing loss is a major research area for the military.
   

3. Some military members feel hesitant about seeking treatment for hearing-related issues. What does HHF do to mitigate that stigma?
   
   Service members may feel stigmatized about seeking treatment for their hearing problems because there are many myths and misconceptions about people with hearing loss. At HHF, we provide factual information as well as resources to help reduce the stigma of hearing loss, and to encourage getting treatment as soon as possible.
   

4. Do many service members regard hearing loss as a “badge of honor”?
   
   HHF has not heard this sentiment, but it is our hope that members of the military take every effort to prevent hearing loss while in the service, and to address any hearing issues they may have developed as soon as they are discovered. Untreated hearing loss can lead to many additional medical problems; for example, depression, isolation and dementia.
   

5. Are more Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking hearing loss treatment?
   
   At least 60 percent of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistanhave acquired hearing loss or tinnitus because of noise exposure during their service. According to the Hearing Center of Excellence, in the past decade, 840,000 service members have been diagnosed with tinnitus, and just over 700,000 have hearing loss.
   

6. What are the most effective treatment options?
   
   Current treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants and other devices. Treatments available for tinnitus include sound therapy, drug therapy, psychological interventions, brain stimulation and tinnitus retraining therapy, which is being tested through clinical trials at six flagship military treatment centers.
   
   A sequential program known as progressive tinnitus management has emerged as one of the most promising research-based methods. In order to help patients, it is necessary to mitigate the functional effects of tinnitus, such as difficulties with sleep, concentration and relaxation.
   

7. How can service members prevent hearing loss?

Traditional earplugs are effective in preventing hazardous noise from entering the ear canal, but they can interfere with speech communication or low-level combat sounds. Level-dependent earplugs have a small filter that enables soft noises to be conveyed with full strength while eliminating high-frequency or impulse noise.

Earmuffs are another option. … They provide greater attenuation than earplugs [but] make it harder to pick up the softer sounds that may be necessary for verbal communication. An electronic communication system in the earmuff allows wearers to communicate clearly with each other.

Noise-attenuating helmets should be used by military personnel operating combat vehicles or aircraft. These helmets protect the wearer from hearing loss, crash impact and eye injuries while also increasing communication ability through a radio communication piece.
Technologically advanced helmets include an active noise-reducing technology that monitors the sound energy around the ear and cancels any unwanted noise while preserving verbal communications. A communications earplug with a microphone can be worn in addition to the helmet for high-quality verbal clarity.

—Thomas B. Spincic

HHF Board of Directors Elects Elizabeth Keithley, Ph.D. as its new Board Chair

By Elizabeth Keithley, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Keithley, Ph.D., Chairman, HHF Board of Directors                                            Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgery and Otolaryngology

University of California at San Diego

I have been a scientist who does research on mechanisms of inflammation and aging on the inner ear for more than 30 years. Growing up with a mother who had a hearing loss, I understood of the impact that hearing loss can have on a person’s life. It was quite natural that while in college I became interested in neuroscience and specifically the study of sensory perception. A professor asked me to work in his lab on hearing mechanisms and I have been studying them ever since.

In the 1990s I was asked to review the Emerging Research Grant (ERG) applications and that began my association with Hearing Health Foundation (HHF, and formerly known as Deafness Research Foundation). Soon afterward I was asked to join the Board of Directors. I have remained on the Board since that time.

The ERG program is a very valuable asset for the research community by enabling early-stage researchers to get their careers started. This program allows them to write a proposal describing a series of experiments to test a hypothesis that will increase our understanding of auditory or vestibular (hearing or balance) mechanisms. With data generated during the ERG funding period, the researcher can write an expanded, plausible proposal to address a larger issue. This becomes a proposal for funding from the National Institutes of Health.

In some ways the ERG program is a “dress rehearsal” for a career as an academic scientist. When these scientists receive funding from HHF, they have the opportunity to develop their own ideas. They begin to have some independence from a more senior investigator. The best path to achieving a world where everyone can hear is to continue bringing new people with their innovative ideas into the field of hearing and balance research. A review of the names of HHF-funded researchers over the past half century reveals the American leaders in the fields of hearing and balance research from the mid-1980s on.

As of October 1, 2015, I am the Chair of the HHF Board. I am very pleased to be involved with this important organization. HHF was created almost 60 years ago by a woman who was steadfast in her support of funding for new technologies and treatments for hearing loss. I will do whatever I can to ensure we are able to continue to make a meaningful impact through hearing research. 

It is a goal to see HHF raise enough money to fund the Hearing Restoration Project. The consortium model is a wonderful way to focus the attention of scientists to work together collaboratively and get meaningful results. If we can get to the level of funding $5 million to $6 million for research annually, it will give the scientists the resources to further accelerate the pace of the research and produce advances to prevent, treat, and cure hearing loss. Another goal that is equally as important to me is to be able to return our funding levels for the ERG program to $1 million a year. This was the level of funding when I started 20 years ago and I don’t think it is unreasonable to recommit to that amount in the future.

Hearing and balance research and advancements in hearing devices and technology have come a long way over the past 50 years. Significant outcomes have been achieved, but we still have a lot of work to do. The number of people with hearing loss and other hearing-related conditions is increasing and we need to continue to fund the most cutting-edge research until there is a day when every person can enjoy life without a hearing loss or tinnitus.  

I am interested in getting to know the members of our Hearing Health community.  If you have questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email.  

I look forward to hearing from you.

What Does It Mean To Be 4-Star Charity?

By Sloan Blanton

The nonprofit sector is growing, with more and more organizations and foundations emerging daily. However, they are not all managed or held to the same standard. Because of this, donors want to be ensured their philanthropic dollars are being utilized and allocated properly. They are requesting higher accountability and transparency from the organizations they support.

Such donors look for third-party accreditation that their dollars are being maximized. Charity Navigator is America's most-utilized independent evaluator of charities in the competitive philanthropic marketplace, championing efficient, successful, open and ethical charities. By celebrating top charities, Charity Navigator provides the public with useful information needed to provide donors with confidence in their charitable choices.

Charity Navigator has rated Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) with 4 out of 4 stars, the highest possible rating. This indicates that HHF adheres to sound governance, accountability, transparency, and fiscal management, minimizing the organization’s chance of engaging in fiscally irresponsible activities. This rating from Charity Navigator also illustrates how HHF pursues its mission to prevent and cure hearing loss and tinnitus while promoting hearing health in a financially responsible way.

Hearing Health Foundation’s 4-star rating from Charity Navigator differentiates HHF from its peers, and assures the public it is worthy of their trust. "Donors have a choice as to where they invest their philanthropic dollars. We strive to make the greatest impact with every contribution to HHF and are honored to be recognized for our efforts by Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator," said Claire Schultz, HHF’s chief executive officer.

Forbes, Business Week, and Kiplinger's Financial Magazine, among others, applaud Charity Navigator's unique method of applying data-driven analysis to the nonprofit sector. As the leading charity evaluator in the United States, it draws more website traffic than all other charity rating organizations combined.

More than 80 cents of every dollar donated to HHF directly benefits its research efforts towards a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus. Please consider making a gift today. Imagine the day when HHF finds a cure... you'll be able to say you helped made it possible!

HHF reports to the Internal Revenue Service using form 990 under the tax identification number of 13-1882107. HHF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. All donations to HHF are tax-deductible. 

Puro Sound Labs Officially Launches Hearing-healthy Headphones for The Entire Family to Enjoy

California-based company to debut with the first ever studio-grade Bluetooth wireless headphones for kids

LA JOLLA, Calif., December 18, 2014 – Puro Sound Labs, a premiere consumer electronics audio company, is proud to announce their official launch into the market today. The company will provide consumers with premium quality, hearing-healthy, contemporary designed on-ear and over-ear headphone monitors at disruptive prices. Puro Sound Labs introduces the BT2200, Bluetooth “Kid-friendly” headphones with built-in volume optimization. This is the first in a line of products that aim to deliver this unique experience and value.  

The Puro Sound Labs BT2200 are Bluetooth headphones created specifically for kids and designed with the health and safety of a child as a priority. They will be the first ever and only studio-grade Bluetooth headphones on the market made especially for kids with volume limiting ear protection. Volume levels over 85 decibels (dB) have been known to cause hearing loss over time. Their unique headphone design protects children’s ears, while delivering studio-grade sound. With hearing health and education in mind, Puro Sound has committed to donating a portion of every sale of all Puro Sound products through 2015 to the Hearing Health Foundation.

“Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable; however prolonged exposure to sounds that are 85 decibels (dB) or above, such as loud music, is often the culprit. By placing an 85 dB volume limit on their headphones, Puro Sound is taking significant strides towards protecting children’s hearing against premature hearing loss. We are excited to work together to achieve the same goal of both educating and providing consumers with hearing-friendly solutions,” said Claire Schultz, CEO, Hearing Health Foundation. “We are looking forward to their continued support and their on-going efforts towards our collective cause.” To find out more about safe listening levels and how to prevent hearing loss, visit us here.

Puro Sound Labs headphones are designed with a unique frequency response curve called Puro Balanced Response®, designed to recreate the natural sound produced in a perfectly tuned listening room in the headphone listening experience. This helps to maximize the satisfaction of Healthy Ears® hearing protection.

Great care has gone into the design and materials used in the headphones. A soft and supple cushioning material and durable lightweight aluminum are used to make the headphones comfortable for young ears and to stand up to everyday use. Their design also attenuates 82% of ambient noise, eliminating a need for higher volume limits. When combined, Puro’s Balanced Response® Curve and the headphones’ noise attenuation design, kids can enjoy their music with no need to exceed safe playback levels.

Parents will love them for their great value and hearing health while kids will love them for their comfort, wireless Bluetooth freedom and great sound. Plus, when employing Bluetooth wireless technology, the chance of a child getting tangled or caught on the headphones’ cable is reduced.

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• Unique volume governor system that limits sound output on most portable devices to 85 dB for parents’ peace of mind

• Puro Limiter cable insures 85 dB sound limit for the auxiliary wired experience

• Puro Balanced Response® equally balances bass, mids and highs, delivering clear, understandable vocal reproduction without excessive volume

• Ambient noise limiting by up to 82%* - even in noisy environments like an airplane, allowing for reasonable listening levels

• Integrated microphone for seamless use with a phone

• 18 Hours of Battery Life for Music Playback & 200 Hours Standby

• Durable, Lightweight Aluminum Construction

• Supple Protein Leather Ear Cushions and Headband

• Puro EQ App for iOS (Android coming soon)

• Folds Flat for Travel

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Puro Sound has also developed the Puro Sound Equalizer App, an iOS 16-band EQ application that allows headphones to be customized to the listener's sound and genre preferences. A version of the app for Android devices will be available after the first of the year.

“Using only the very best of science and engineering available, we have mastered the art of methodically replicating big room sound by fine-tuning our audio products with our signature Puro Balanced Response Curve. We are creating products that will lead to a new generation of premium sound entertainment and I am excited about what’s to come in 2015,” said Jason Wehner, CTO of Puro Sound Labs.

The “Kid-friendly” Puro Sound Labs BT2200 will be available for $79.99 in White/silver and Tan/gold colors and available through authorized online resellers including amazon.com and purosound.com.

*Source: Puro Sound Labs

About Puro Sound Labs
Established in 2014, Puro Sound Labs is a premiere consumer electronics audio company that designs innovative and audiophile quality audio products. Using only the very best of science and engineering available, Puro Sound Labs engineers have been able to master the art of methodically replicating big room sound and fine-tuning audio and introducing a new generation of premium sound entertainment. You know great sound when you hear it – Puro Sound Labs know the science behind creating it. For more information please visit www.purosound.com. 

About Hearing Health Foundation
Hearing Health Foundation is the largest private funder of hearing research, with a mission to prevent and cure hearing loss through groundbreaking research. Since 1958 Hearing Health Foundation has given away millions of dollars to hearing and balance research, including work that led to cochlear implant technology and now through the Hearing Restoration Project is working on a cure for hearing loss. Hearing Health Foundation also publishes Hearing Health magazine, a free consumer resource on hearing loss and related technology, research, and products. To learn more, subscribe to our magazine, or support this work, visit www.hhf.org.

Hearing Health Foundation at Partnering for Cures 2014

By Pallavi Bharadwaj

Convened by FasterCures, the Washington, D.C.-based center of the Milken Institute, the conference will bring together nearly 1,000 medical research leaders, investors and decision-makers to forge the collaborations needed to speed and improve outcomes-driven R&D. The ongoing promise of hair-cell regeneration is closer to reality than ever.

Hearing Health Foundation’s Hearing Restoring Project consortium has identified major roadblocks that have stymied the field, and has designed rational approaches to overcome these barriers.

Partnering for Cures is designed to facilitate informed investments and cultivate relationships, adapting the outcomes-oriented approach of investor conferences, and building on the networking opportunities at industry partnering meetings. In addition to innovator presentations, it also features panels that spotlight solutions to long-standing challenges in medical research.

 “We are very pleased to be present and participate in this conference. It is a unique opportunity to raise visibility for hearing loss and the path to a cure among an important audience.” says Claire Schultz, CEO HHF.

Hearing Health Foundation is one of 30 innovators presenting their cross-sector research collaboration to potential partners and funders at the conference.  Selected through a competitive proposal process, each partnership is aimed at reducing the time and cost of getting new medical solutions from discovery to patients.

“These collaborations address some of the thorniest issues in medical research using models that can be scaled and translated across diseases,” said FasterCures’ Executive Director Margaret Anderson.

“From re-imagining clinical trial infrastructure to improving and expanding data sharing, to creating the tools and resources needed to translate basic science into cures, they are accelerating the path from lab to market for novel – and needed – therapies.”

For more information and to register for the conference, go to www.partneringforcures.org

To know more on HHF’s Hearing Restoration Project presentation at Parterning for Cures 2014, please click here. 

Hearing Health Foundation Names Claire Schultz as Chief Executive Officer

By Tara Guastella

New York, NY (April 29, 2014) - Hearing Health Foundation (HHF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and curing hearing loss and tinnitus through groundbreaking research, announced today the appointment of Claire Schultz as chief executive officer.

Ms. Schultz comes to HHF with extensive experience in the public and private sectors. She most recently served as the chief external affairs officer of Amnesty International USA, where she was responsible for all revenue development, marketing, communications, digital engagement, and entertainment relations.  At HHF, she will be responsible for strategic leadership and direction of the organization helping to increase its prominence and impact.

Shari Eberts, chair of the board of directors, said, “I am delighted to welcome Claire Schultz as our chief executive officer.  Claire’s depth of leadership and management experience make her uniquely qualified for this vital role.  I am confident that she will galvanize our mission to prevent and cure hearing loss and tinnitus through groundbreaking research through the Hearing Restoration Project, and that she will help navigate a path to build and strengthen HHF with vigor, resolve, and imagination.” 

“It is an honor to be joining HHF and to be working with its forward-looking leadership and the distinguished scientific research community. The mission of HHF is personal for me. As someone with a parent that has hearing loss, I have seen first-hand the challenges a person faces on a daily basis. I am motivated to expedite scientific breakthroughs for the millions of people who live with hearing loss and tinnitus." Claire Schultz said.

Ms. Schultz also previously served as the senior vice president, strategic marketing and communications at JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) where she launched the organization’s national rebranding initiative, and the JDC (Joint Distribution Committee), where she established the first marketing and communications function aligned with fundraising.  While at JDC, she traveled internationally creating award-winning videos documenting the critical humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable children and the elderly.   Prior to working in nonprofit organizations, Ms. Schultz held management positions at NBC, Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Disney/ABC, Inc.

Ms. Schultz received her B.A in Communications from Tulane University and has a certificate in linguistic studies from University of East Anglia, Norwich UK.  

About Hearing Health Foundation:
Hearing Health Foundation is the largest private funder of hearing research, with a mission to prevent and cure hearing loss and tinnitus through groundbreaking research. Since 1958 Hearing Health Foundation has given away millions of dollars to hearing and balance research, and now through the Hearing Restoration Project is working on a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing Health Foundation also publishes Hearing Health magazine, a free consumer resource on hearing loss and related technology, research, and products.

For more information visit: www.hhf.org
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HearingHealthFoundation
Follow us on Twitter: @HearingHealthFn

Is A Cure for Hearing Loss Possible?

By Shanna Groves

When Hearing Health Foundation approached Lipreading Mom about doing a story about curing hearing loss, I admit I was skeptical. Is a cure really possible? And if it is, would it benefit those who have embraced their deafness? I have many friends who haven’t been able to hear all their lives, and they lead very full lives. So why the need to change that?

Lipreading Mom recently conducted an email interview with Shari Eberts, Chairman of the Hearing Health Foundation’s (HHF) Board of Directors, about HHF’s research into hearing loss.

When did research into a hearing loss ‘cure’ first get support from the Hearing Health Foundation?

HHF’s founder, Collette Ramsey Baker, was steadfast in her support of funding for new technologies and treatments for hearing loss, despite objections and doubts from supporters and those in the industry. Because of that commitment, HHF has been a leader in driving new innovations and treatments for people with hearing loss for more than fifty years. This includes funding research that led to the development of cochlear implants and many of today’s standard treatments for otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the ear) and ear infections. Today, HHF continues to support groundbreaking research in hearing, through the search for a biological cure for hearing loss and tinnitus through its Hearing Restoration Project (HRP).

HRP officially launched in 2011 and is currently funding five projects from its consortium scientists, but the initial discovery that led to the HRP came many years before. Many types of hearing loss result from damage to the delicate hair cells of the inner ear. Humans can’t regrow these cells—but in a game-changing breakthrough in 1987, HHF-funded scientists discovered that birds can.

While studying how drugs that are known to cause hearing damage affect the tiny sensory cells in the ear, these scientists needed to permanently damage a chicken’s hair cells. For 10 days, research assistants administered a common antibiotic, known to cause hearing loss, to laboratory chickens. On day 11 many of the hair cells were lost and a few days later, even more were lost. Surprisingly, when the scientists looked three weeks later, almost all the hair cells had returned. They didn’t believe these results so they did the experiment again and again. Sure enough, chickens can naturally regenerate their inner ear hair cells, restoring their hearing after damage.

Our HRP Consortium is the dream team of hair cell regeneration, comprising the best auditory scientists at leading institutions worldwide such as Harvard and Stanford. With more than 200 years of combined experience in hearing research, the HRP Consortium publishes widely (over 400 published papers among them) and have well established labs (receiving over 600 NIH grants combined). We have every confidence we have the right team in place, and the right model to accelerate the timeline to a cure.

For years, scientific research has been conducted in relative isolation—one researcher or one institution working alone to tackle a major health issue. HHF developed the HRP Consortium model to do things differently. Our HRP scientists work on research projects together, share their unpublished data and tools, and collaborate on the development and refinement of the HRP’s strategic research plan. The group meets bi-annually in person, monthly by conference call, and communicates frequently by email. This continual dialogue is helping to eliminate repetitive work across the team, saving time and research dollars, and most importantly, accelerating the timetable to a cure.

Even though we are in the early stages of the research, we think it is very important that the public learn about our efforts. We want them to know that there is hope for a cure, and that there are researchers who consider curing hearing loss and tinnitus to be their life’s most important work. We hope our marketing efforts will help bring attention to the issue, raise awareness of the prospects for a cure and inspire other scientists and laypeople to join us in our support of this important research, so that we can find the cure as soon as possible.

But what about people with different forms of hearing loss: How can these research findings affect people born with hearing loss? People with late-in-life hearing loss?

There are two broad forms of hearing loss:

Conductive Hearing Loss is caused by any condition that blocks or impedes the conveyance of sound through the outer or middle ear. The result is a reduction in the sound intensity that reaches the cochlea. Common causes include ear infections, a perforation in the eardrum, or even buildup of earwax. Generally, conductive hearing loss can be treated with a complete or partial improvement in hearing.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss commonly occurs due to an injury or degenerative change in the inner ear and is currently permanent.

Damage to the hair cells in the inner ear is the most common type of sensorineural hearing loss. The Hearing Restoration Project is focused on the cure for sensorineural hearing loss, through the regeneration of these damaged inner ear hair cells, and with it the regeneration of hearing. Most types of age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss are caused by damage to these hair cells, making the HRP research applicable to most types of acquired hearing loss.

The amazing thing is that regeneration happens naturally and very robustly in almost all animals – mammals are the exception. This makes HHF and the researchers confident that we will find a way to stimulate this regeneration in mammals, including humans. While ten years may seem like a long time, and it is for someone like myself who lives with hearing loss every day, it is realistically within my lifetime, and that gives me hope and excites me for the future. While we wait for the cure, we encourage people with hearing loss to seek treatment for the condition through hearing aids or other means, so that they can enjoy the highest quality of life possible, while they wait.

What about tinnitus: How can these findings help the millions of people worldwide with ringing in their ears?

With 90% of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) occurring with an underlying hearing loss, a cure for hearing loss is also likely to be a cure for tinnitus. In a recent article in Hearing Health magazine, HHF’s free quarterly publication on all things related to hearing loss, this topic was discussed in detail. Some of the high points are detailed below:

There is certainly evidence that the restoration of hearing can alleviate tinnitus. For example, tinnitus can be induced by exposure to loud sounds that result in the temporary loss of hearing, which is experienced by many after attending a loud event like a rock concert. In most such cases, the tinnitus disappears as the hearing recovers.

Another example is the response of patients for whom otosclerosis (an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear) has induced a conductive hearing loss. Many such patients with this hereditary condition experience tinnitus. However, when their hearing is restored through a surgical procedure, many report an improvement in tinnitus.

Finally, there have been several reports that patients, after receiving a cochlear implant, experience a significant reduction in their tinnitus. Interestingly, in some cases this tinnitus suppression continues for several hours after the implant is turned off. Though the mechanism by which cochlear implants may suppress tinnitus is not clear, these observations all suggest that restoring function to the auditory system may be very helpful for tinnitus in a variety of ways.

There may be skepticism about ‘curing’ hearing loss. How would you respond to criticism toward curing hearing loss or deafness? For example, the Deaf community has a strong cultural identity shaped by living with deafness. Some would argue that a person’s deafness is what makes him/her unique, so why change it?

Hearing Health Foundation respects everyone’s individual choices and beliefs as relates to their hearing loss. For those interested in a biological cure, we are proud to be working on one.

This article was republished with permission.

HHF Included in Media Planet Vision and Hearing News

By Tara Guastella

For the second year, HHF is excited to be included in Media Planet’s Vision and Hearing News campaign. This annual initiative aims to raise awareness about vision and hearing loss, discuss new technologies, and provide expert commentary on the latest from the field. The campaign is included as an insert in USA Today and shared digitally, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.

This issue’s cover story features Seattle Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman in an interview about his experience with hearing loss and the methods he took to succeed in his career. The interview is inspirational and it’s great to see Coleman as a role model for people with hearing loss.

Our exciting work to cure hearing loss and tinnitus is included within the issue in an article titled “The Promise for a Cure”. While technologies like hearing aids and cochlear implants bring great benefit to people with hearing loss, the article highlights how the work of our Hearing Restoration Project (HRP) aims to deliver a genuine, biologic cure for hearing loss and tinnitus within the next decade. By studying chickens, fish, and other animals who have the ability to naturally regenerate their inner ear hair cells and reverse hearing loss, our team of HRP researchers aims to translate the ability to restore hearing to people. Our PSA is also featured at the bottom of the article.

"Our organization has been at the forefront of hearing research for over half a century. Now we’re funding a genuine, biologic cure for hearing loss and tinnitus within the next decade. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of continued research in the hearing field,” says Shari Eberts, the chairman of HHF’s board of directors, in the article.

HHF Medical Director David Haynes, M.D., FACS, answers common questions about cochlear implants (CIs) and the types of hearing loss that may be eligible for CIs. “While standard hearing aids amplify sound, the cochlear implant has the capacity to break down sound and deliver this signal to specific areas of the cochlea, improving understanding,” Haynes says.

Lastly, we contributed an article about preventing hearing loss and the best ways to keep your, and your loved ones, hearing safe and sound. You can watch our interactive “How Hearing Works” video and also learn about walk, block, and turn. Our three-step method to prevent hearing damage advises walking away from loud sounds, blocking them with earplugs or earmuffs, and turning down the volume when it is under your control.

Check out the full Media Planet campaign for other hearing and vision resources.

HHF Earns a Gold!

By Tara Guastella

HHF recently received the GuideStar Exchange Gold participation level, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability provided by GuideStar USA, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information.  This level demonstrates HHF’s deep commitment to nonprofit transparency and accountability.

We have worked hard to showcase our progress toward our mission of curing hearing loss and tinnitus, and our long-held belief in being transparent about our work, to our constituents.

As a GuideStar Exchange participant, we will use their platform to share a wealth of up-to-date information about our work to our supporters and GuideStar's immense online audience of nonprofits, grantmakers, individual donors, and the media.

In order to be awarded the GuideStar Exchange logo, we completed a comprehensive nonprofit report in order to obtain the Gold level of participation.

We encourage you to check out our profile on GuideStar to see what we're all about. We are engaged in exciting initiatives, and we are thrilled to have another platform for communicating our advancement and progress toward a cure.

About the GuideStar Exchange

The GuideStar Exchange is an initiative designed to connect nonprofits with current and potential supporters. With millions of people coming to GuideStar to learn more about nonprofit organizations, the GuideStar Exchange allows nonprofits to share a wealth of up-to-date information with GuideStar's many audiences. Becoming a GuideStar Exchange participant is free of charge. To join, organizations need to update their report pages, completing all required fields for participation. The GuideStar Exchange level logos, acknowledged as symbols of transparency in the nonprofit sector, are displayed on all Exchange participants' nonprofit reports.

The Hearing Restoration Project a Top 5 Nominee in the 5th Annual CLASSY Awards!

By Tara Guastella

The CLASSY Awards, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, are the largest social impact awards ceremony in the U.S., for the fifth year recognizing champions of social progress.  I am thrilled to report that our Hearing Restoration Project (HRP) has been nominated for a CLASSY award and has been chosen as a Top 5 nominee in the Health Services: Non-Communicable Diseases category!  

CLASSY Award nominees must complete a thorough application process that includes detailed information about the social problem the program is addressing and how the program is making strides for monumental change. Delivering a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus has been and continues to be a top priority at HHF. Now the HRP is being recognized for the contribution we will make to bettering the lives of nearly 50 million Americans with hearing loss and tinnitus through this research.

AOL compares the CLASSYs to the Oscars and we couldn’t be happier to have the HRP receive this type of recognition in the national philanthropy arena. We are so honored to have the HRP highlighted alongside other incredibly inspiring organizations driving social change not only in health services but in all social service categories.

The CLASSY Awards weekend will be held in San Diego, where the award finalists will be announced. The weekend in early May also brings together leaders from across the social sector in a setting that drives collaboration around solving social problems. Team members from HHF will be in attendance at the awards weekend, and we look forward to sharing news about the outcome of the awards race.