Congratulations to Our Former Emerging Researchers

By Tara Guastella

The primary goal of our Emerging Research Grant (ERG) program is to prepare scientists new to hearing and balance research to earn funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is with that in mind that we are thrilled to congratulate the latest crop of ERG alumni who have received NIH support.

For the past 55 years, we have proudly provided thousands of hearing researchers with the seed funding to make it possible to compete successfully for NIH awards and further their research careers. With the tightening funding climate in Washington, it is truly a remarkable achievement to obtain these awards.

It is with great pleasure that we share:

2012 Emerging Researcher, Wei Min Chen, Ph.D., University of Virginia, received two awards from National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) for work in complex genetics research identifying genetic predictors of certain diseases.

2012 Emerging Researcher, Sung Ho Huh, Ph.D., Washington University, received a National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD) award studying cellular and molecular functions of cochlear development.

2012 & 2013 Emerging Researcher, Israt Jahan, M.B.B.S, Ph.D., University of Iowa, received a NIDCD award for her work in hair cell regeneration.

2011 & 2013 Emerging Researcher, Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, Ph.D., University of Florida, received a NIDCD award for her work in aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity.

2012 & 2013 Emerging Researcher, Lina Reiss, Ph.D., Orgeon Health & Science University, received a NIDCD award for her work in binaural hearing loss and hearing devices.

Isabelle Roux, Ph.D.

2012 Emerging Researcher, Isabelle Roux, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, received a NIDCD award for her research in hair cells and their interaction with nerve fibers that provide feedback from the brain to the ear.

2012 Emerging Researcher, Rebecca Seal, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, received two National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awards for work studying the central nervous system.

2009 Emerging Researcher, Ruili Xie, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, received an award from the NIDCD for research on age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss.

We congratulate these researchers for their extraordinary research efforts and look forward to learning of their progress into the future.

Restaurant Conversation: Not Just for the Hearing

By Kathi Mestayer

While planning a recent visit to see my sister in Berkeley, she suggested that we go out to dinner at their favorite restaurant, Comal. I took a peek at its website and saw that the food is inspired by the regional cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico, which we’ve visited three times. It was an easy yes!

The website also told me that Comal has spent a lot of time and effort on its acoustics, to make it possible to have both dinner and a conversation—at the same time, without yelling or becoming frustrated. Since I recently wrote about workplace noise in open office plans, I was also interested in real-world noise dampening efforts.

Because three of the five of us for dinner have hearing loss, I thought it would be the perfect group to check it out. My sister and I showed up a little early, and were lucky to find the general manager, Andrew Hoffman, also a co-owner, willing to give us a quick description of the acoustic features.

These include large acoustic panels on the walls to dampen reverberation, covered with original artwork (see photo above), acoustic material (tectum) behind the walls, and duct liner on the ceilings.

Andrew told us to look up at the tiny black microphones extending from the ceiling—barely visible. They were the working end of the computerized acoustic system (Meyer Sound’s Constellation System) that adjusts itself to the level and type of sound in the restaurant and creates the best acoustics possible given the noise level. 

We went downstairs into the control room, where a large stack of data processors was blinking away, doing the real-time work of managing noise upstairs. Andrew’s iPhone could make adjustments on the go. I asked him about the conventional wisdom that more noise in restaurants results in more sales of food and drinks. “We’re not just about turning tables here,” he replied.

We then sat down to a wonderful meal, and talked. We were able to have a conversation for at least an hour, while every seat in the place was full, including at the bar. It’s hard to know, of course, what the noise level would have been without the acoustic components and system, but given the shape of the space (open plan, high ceiling, hard surfaces) and the people in it, it was quite different than we expected. Not as quiet as our own dining room, but the food was much, much better.

Hearing Health magazine staff writer Kathi Mestayer serves on advisory boards for the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Greater Richmond, Va., chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

Do You Know the Signs of Communication Disorders?

By Tara Guastella

Stuttering, a slow rate of speech, and mumbling. Struggling to say sounds, pulling or scratching at the ears, and social isolation. Did you know that all of these are signs of a hearing loss or a communication disorder?

Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from hearing loss and other communication disorders. These disorders, which are characterized by difficulty speaking or hearing, affect the youngest and oldest members of our society—and everyone in between.

When left untreated, their effects of can be debilitating. Too often, people struggle with these challenges and fail to seek proper, timely treatment. Early detection of speech, language, and hearing issues is absolutely critical to treatment success, impacting academic, social, and career outcomes.

Unfortunately, many parents, caregivers, spouses, and other loved ones are unable to identify the early warning signs of these issues or dismiss them too readily. A recent poll of the speech-language pathologists and audiologists of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)—the professionals who treat these disorders—reported that lack of awareness of these signs is the leading barrier to early detection.

To help remedy the situation, ASHA has launched a national campaign, Identify the Signs. We’re proud to announce that Hearing Health Foundation has joined this effort as a campaign partner. This yearlong multimedia campaign, which launched this fall, addresses the importance of early detection, helps the public identify the early warning signs of communication disorders, and encourages people to seek the most appropriate professional help.

The campaign includes TV, radio, print, and digital public service announcements and a media outreach push. Please visit the campaign website for information and resources, and share it with your family, friends, and colleagues. Above all, we hope you will seek help if you suspect that you or a loved one shows signs of having a disorder.

Early diagnosis is the most powerful way to reduce or even reverse the impact of these disorders and can give your loved ones the opportunity to lead the fullest lives possible.

The Case for Genetic Testing

By Yishane Lee

Genetic causes account for roughly half of hearing loss cases in infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many cases of progressive hearing loss that occur after infancy and childhood also have a genetic component.

At least 1,000 mutations in 64 genes linked to hearing loss have been identified. Thanks to rapid advances in genetic sequencing, identifying virtually all the genetic causes of hearing loss may occur within the decade, according to a recent report in the journal Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers.

Researchers are using “targeted resequencing” to locate gene mutations in certain regions in the human genome that are linked to diseases much more quickly than sequencing the entire genome. In our Fall 2013 issue of Hearing Health magazine, Xue Zhong Liu, M.D., Ph.D., reviews the advances in sequencing technology and how this will affect the future treatment of hearing loss.

Because genetics can play such a significant role in hearing loss, genetic testing can answer questions you have about the cause of your or a loved one’s hearing loss. If the testing uncovers a mutation, it can help explain the hearing loss, its severity or progression, and whether other symptoms may become apparent. For instance, a person with Usher syndrome has not only hearing loss but also eventual blindness. You can proactively take steps to manage treatment and outcome. Knowing the genetic cause of a hearing loss can also help you predict whether the condition will be passed along to your children, or whether the children of other family members may have the condition. 

Last summer, Hearing Health magazine presented an overview of genetic causes of hearing loss, including Connexin 26 disorder. This is the most common cause of congenital hearing loss not related to a syndrome (with other symptoms, such as a thyroid problem). Mutations in the GJB2 gene affect development of the cochlea in the inner ear. Everyone carries two copies of the GJB2 gene (which encodes the protein connexin 26), and the mutations are usually recessive. So, two parents with one mutation each can have normal hearing. But if their child gets two faulty copies of the gene, the child will have a hearing loss. In fact, the majority of children born with hearing loss have normal hearing parents.

There are limits to genetic testing, however. For one thing not all the genes are known—yet. Also, a positive result for a mutation does not necessarily mean a person will get the condition associated with the mutation. And a negative result doesn’t mean you won’t get the particular condition, too—it may be that a different mutation in the same gene wasn’t detected, or there could be another mutation in a different gene that may cause the condition.

We have compiled a list of several dozen genetic testing centers nationwide that have specialized testing for hearing loss. Find a testing center near you.

Yes, the Holidays Are Right Around the Corner - But No Need to Panic

By Yishane Lee

Every year at about this time I start to make lists of gifts to give various members of my family. Not only are the holidays right around the corner but everyone but me (and the cat) has a fall birthday! It can be a challenge.
 

It can be even more of a challenge if you’re shopping for a loved one who has a hearing loss. You want to be sure to get a gift that shows you care and that you’re aware of the obstacles they may face. In our annual Holiday Gift Guide—available in the Fall issue of Hearing Health, in your mailboxes soon and now online—we’ve compiled a list of our favorite items for gift-giving.

These range from an astonishing memoir by a successful lawyer who only discovered he had a hearing loss is his 30s. Gerald Shea, author of “Song Without Words,” recounts the ways he subconsciously coped through school and work while exploring such issues as the nature and significance of language.
 

You may also want to consider two types of headgear—the AfterShokz Sportz Headphones and the Max Virtual Cynaps Cap—that conduct sound through the bones in your skull directly to your inner ear through vibration. Sports enthusiasts and those with hearing loss alike can benefit from these innovative products.
 

We also have a great list of vibrating watches, earplugs, phones and phone signalers, clocks, and cochlea-inspired jewelry, along with suggestions from our staff writers who have hearing loss—including the best stocking stuffer ever. Aren’t you wondering what it is? Browse through our gift guide, “Gifts From the Heart,” and find the perfect gift today.
 

For people who are considering getting a hearing aid, or updating their current one, we have two stories for you. “What to Expect When You’re Expecting… Hearing Aids” by staff writer Courtney M. Campbell, Au.D., manages expectations when it comes to getting hearing aids. Here’s a hint: It’s not like getting glasses—it’s not a one-step process.

And if you’re thinking of upgrading or updating your hearing aids, here’s another hint: Rapid advances in technology mean a new, low-priced aid is likely to be better than even a premium aid from a year ago. Read “8 Signs You May Need a New Hearing Aid” by Barbara Jenkins, Au.D., BCABA.

Look for the Fall issue in your mailboxes soon and online now. If you’re not already a subscriber to our award-winning and free quarterly publication, make sure to subscribe here.

Marathoning for a Cure for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

By Tara Guastella

Whether it’s cycling, running, swimming, or whatever interests you—be it baking, knitting, or painting—we can work together to help you fundraise to help HHF fund research that will cure hearing loss. This fall, several individuals across the country will be running a marathon for a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus while raising funds to help HHF support groundbreaking research.

Marine Corps Marathon
Sixteen years ago, Julie Davis joined a group of 50 million people in this country, and it wasn't by choice. Her left ear stopped working and the buzzing and ringing started. Not only had she experienced profound hearing loss, but she also acquired vertigo, balance issues, and other consequences associated with hearing loss that many people rarely discuss. On October 27, 2013, Julie will Run for the Buzz in the Marine Corp Marathon and is raising funds for a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus. Support her run today!

ING New York City Marathon
On November 3, 2013, Tom Abbey, Veronica Calhoun, Tara Guastella (HHF staff member and the author of this post), Andy Shepard, and Kim Montini will tackle the 26.2 miles of the NYC Marathon in support of a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus. Each team member is spending the next several months training for the run with Tom Abbey of Functional Fitness VA, a team member and trainer. Whether being impacted by hearing loss personally or through a family member, each team member is excited to raise funds for HHF in order to expedite the timeline to a cure.
    
Visit Team Hearing Health's Marathon page and support the team as they run through the five boroughs of NYC for a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Learn about other unique ways individuals are fundraising to cure hearing loss. If you are interested in fundraising for a cure, please contact development@hhf.org.

When Was Your Last Hearing Test?

By Tara Guastella

Nearly 50 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. However, on average a person will have trouble hearing for 7 to 10 years before seeing a hearing health professional.

Why do we wait so long to have a hearing test? If you had trouble with your vision, would you wait to see an eye doctor? Probably not. Many feel that hearing loss is something that only affects the elderly, but nowadays a greater number of young adults are being afflicted by hearing loss (and tinnitus). One in 5 teenagers has a hearing loss and that number will likely increase over the next two decades.

The biggest likely reason for the increase among young adults is exposure to loud sounds. Approximately 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises at work or in leisure activities.

A recent study in New York City found that young adults (ages 18 to 44) who routinely listen to loud music with headphones (defined as loud use five to seven days per week for four or more hours per day) were also more likely to have hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing loss among adolescents has also increased more than 30 percent between 1988 and 2006. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends reducing the volume, limiting your listening time, and taking regular breaks when using headphones. Never listen at maximum volume.

In honor of National Audiology Awareness Month & National Protect Your Hearing Month this October, schedule an appointment with an audiologist or otolaryngologist (ENT) to have your (or a family member’s) hearing checked. You can find a hearing healthcare provider in your area here. By having a hearing test, you’re taking the first step toward making hearing health a priority and ensuring you don’t miss wonderful sounds, such as hearing your family’s voices.

The American Academy of Audiology also provides a number of resources for you to raise awareness of protecting your hearing this month. From facts sheets on different forms of hearing loss to web tools to posters, you can find a variety of resources here. Take action in your community and spread the word about the importance of hearing healthcare today.

Please share with us how you will be protecting your hearing this month in the comments below.

1 Hearing Problems and Heaphone Use in New York City; NYC Vital Signs, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, July 2013, Volume 12, No. 2: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey-2013noise.pdf

Westone Audio Products to Donate a Portion of Every Sale to HHF

By Tara Guastella

We are excited to share that Westone, the leader in high performance audio, in-ear monitoring technology, and hearing protection, has announced its support of HHF and HHF's work to cure hearing loss and tinnitus.

Westone will be donating a portion of every sale of all Westone Audio products to HHF through 2014.

"We are extremely excited to partner with Hearing Health Foundation and help support its efforts in hearing research, hearing protection, and a search for a cure to hearing loss," says John F. Lowrey, the vice president of the Colorado-based company’s audio division.

"We are committing significant resources to the Hearing Health Foundation with an initial gift and continuous commitment to donating a portion of each sale of all our audio products to their research,” Lowrey adds. “Westone Audio is committed to delivering the best audio and protection available to customers and we want to support HHF's efforts to find a cure for those who have already experienced hearing loss."

"Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 preventable preventable,” says Andrea Boidman, HHF’s executive director. “Westone is known for being a leader in the hearing care and preservation field and we're excited to work together to achieve the same goal—providing hearing loss solutions. We are so grateful for the support we have already received from Westone and its ongoing efforts for our cause."

If you are looking for a new pair of earphones, headphones, or ear protection, consider Westone Audio Products and you’ll also be showing your support for a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Read more in Westone’s announcement about its support of HHF.

Look for Our Fall Issue, Out in October

By Yishane Lee

We are busy wrapping up the Fall issue of Hearing Health magazine, which will be available in October in print and online. Be sure to subscribe for your free copy, and check back here for links to the digital edition.

One of my favorite stories in the Fall issue is “8 Signs You May Need a New Hearing Aid.” I am completely guilty of using technology way past its usefulness (my radio is circa 1970, and the fellow at the bicycle shop wouldn’t let me leave on my bike using a helmet from the ’90s), but you shouldn’t make this mistake when it comes to your hearing health.

Staff writer and audiologist Barbara Jenkins, Au.D., writes that the average lifespan of a hearing aid is five to seven years. While older hearing aids may work fine, if they need repair, with every year it will become harder to find the right parts.

What’s more, holding onto your hearing aids because of economic reasons may not make financial sense, and may even be doing you a disservice. As Jenkins writes:

“Like other technology, hearing aid technology is rapidly advancing while also becoming less expensive. You can purchase a lower-priced hearing aid today with a wider frequency response and better fidelity than even a premium-level hearing aid bought just a year ago."

Look for Jenkins’s informative article in the Fall issue of Hearing Health outlining the reasons—some you may not have thought of—to consider a new hearing aid. You just may recognize yourself or your situation.

Tinnitus 101

By Yishane Lee

Hearing loss occurs with roughly 90 percent of tinnitus cases. Tinnitus is sometimes the first sign of hearing loss. Our Hearing Restoration Project promises a cure within the next decade not only for hearing loss, but also for tinnitus.

We recently did a special issue on tinnitus in Hearing Health magazine. Tinnitus affects up to 50 million people in the U.S. to some degree. Some 16 million people seek medical attention for their chronic tinnitus.

And for up to 2 million people, debilitating tinnitus affects their daily lives. Among veterans, tinnitus and hearing loss are the top service-related disabilities among veterans.

What exactly is tinnitus? What causes it? What does it sound like? What is its effect? And will it get better? These are many questions we address in our special issue.

Tinnitus in childhood is also a phenomenon, with incidence rates roughly equal to that of adults. It presents challenges for the young patient who may not have the ability to name the condition.

Here are treatment options we covered in the special issue:

• A combination of counseling and sound therapy has proven effective for people with chronic tinnitus.

• Devices that can be worn on the ear deliver sound therapy for tinnitus relief virtually anytime and anywhere.

• Drugs for tinnitus can be vetted through clinical trials, but the evidence for their efficacy remains thin.

• Efforts are under way to figure out how to dampen the neural hyperactivity that leads to tinnitus.

• A sequential program emerges as one of the most promising, research-based methods to help veterans manage their tinnitus.

We also featured the latest technology, including new hearing aids, billed as helpful for tinnitus sufferers.

Please also check out our new tinnitus section online where you’ll find even more resources and information about tinnitus, and where you can also sign up for emails with the latest news about tinnitus.