Hope for Treatments Against Hearing Loss as 10 New Genes Identified

Researchers argue that the stria vascularis, a part of the cochlea in the ear, is a new target for treatments to help people with hearing loss.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

Using Algorithms to Measure Brain Response Times to Auditory Nerve Stimulation

The proposed algorithms could provide a clue on the signal response and its shifts in the brain during the development of hyperactivity, a neural mechanism of tinnitus, and lead to an in-depth understanding of the information flow inside the auditory pathway. This will help us to better understand the mechanisms of tinnitus.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

The Magic of Streaming

Streaming the audio from videos directly to my hearing devices became an option as either standalone or as something to pair with the captions. Once I learned this was an option, I gave it a try and found that the audio was much clearer to me than before. It was so clear that I didn't need the captions to understand what I was watching!

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

Increasing Our Understanding of Avian Hair Cell Regeneration   

We provide evidence that in the regenerating basilar papilla, the expression of immune-related genes is tightly controlled, such that four days after damage, they are no longer expressed in newly regenerated hair cells. This is important because the JAK/STAT signaling pathway is highly potent, leading to inflammation, cytokine storms, and fibrosis.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

Sleeping With My Hearing Ear Up

About 18 years ago, I woke up one morning with extreme vertigo, or dizziness, and then later noticed that my hearing was decreasing in both ears. I also had some shooting pain in my cheeks/facial nerves. A couple of days later, I realized I had tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and it was so loud early on—or at least so new to me—that it would wake me up and keep me up at night.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

Explanations for Cochlear Implant Hesitancy—and What to Do About It

Despite the benefits of cochlear implantation, adoption is low. Current cochlear implant (CI) usage among adults who are indicated for them is about 5 percent. Uncertainty surrounding the outcome of cochlear implantation drives top patient concerns.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

From Reading Faces to Publishing Research

I spent the first 20 years of my life attempting to hide my congenital hearing loss. Like most kids, I just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else, so my younger self could have never predicted that I would have ended up focusing on disability and hearing health within my career.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

The Role of Spontaneous Electrical Activity in the Developing Auditory System

Specific ion currents have been identified as major players supporting this electrical activity in developing and regenerating chick hair cells. This research details the role of small-conductance, calcium-ion-activated potassium channels (SK) in developing and regenerating chick hair cells.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

At 91, Looking Back

Over the years, I learned a lot about coping, between the hearing loss and other serious health problems. The discrimination I have endured, especially in my childhood, has taught me to withhold judgment toward others for any reason.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE

How Les Paul’s Mother Nurtured Him to Change the Music Industry

Even when Les Paul was a preschooler, his mother Evelyn recognized his talent. She would arrange for her young son to perform for local fraternal organizations. Les was so tiny that they placed him on top of a table where he would sing, dance, and tell funny stories.

Print Friendly and PDF

BLOG ARCHIVE