People experiencing hearing loss who are not using a hearing aid may have a higher risk of dementia than people without hearing loss. However, using a hearing aid may reduce this risk to the same level as people without hearing loss, according to the Lancet Public Health research.
A New Tool for Visualizing Zinc Ions in the Brain
Changes to the amount of zinc ions at the synapses has been linked to numerous neurological diseases, such as stroke, epilepsy, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and hearing disorders.
Hearing Better Can Help You Think Better
Describing hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia is “true under the strict epidemiologic definition of ‘risk,’” but the lay public may misunderstand risk as implying “a warning about an impending adverse event.”
Balance Problems? Loud Sounds Could Be a Cause
Have you ever felt dizzy, nauseous, or unsteady on your feet after leaving a loud concert? That could be the balance organ inside your inner ear reacting to the loud sounds.
Highlights From the Hearing Restoration Project
Here are highlights of recent accomplishments, including demonstrating that a cocktail of three factors can promote conversion of nonsensory cells into hair cells in the mouse model.
Myths and More About Buying Hearing Aids
The paper reports that its survey found 75 percent of respondents elected to go to an audiologist for hearing healthcare services compared with 20 percent visiting a hearing instrument specialist.
A Method to Measure Neuroplasticity Found to Be Unreliable
We found that tetanization does not produce reliable changes in brain activity. Some studies report increased brain activity, some report decreased brain activity, and still others report no changes in brain activity following tetanization.
How Sensory Gating May Aid in Better Perception of Speech in Noise
Sensory gating acts as an automatic “filter” that may suppress noise before reaching levels of attention.
Inner Ear Cell Types Between Fish and Mammals Show Similarities
The similarities of inner ear cell type composition between fish and mammals validate the zebrafish as a relevant model for understanding inner ear-specific hair cell function and regeneration.
ARO MidWinter Meeting in Person Again
The annual ARO MidWinter Meeting is the preeminent conference for scientists and clinicians conducting research in the hearing and balance fields. The 46th meeting just concluded after five days in Orlando, Florida—the first in-person conference since late January 2020.