News and Updates

Our Audiologists want you to have access to the latest news and updates on hearing research, hearing aid technology, and much more! Check back frequently for new materials.
 

Hearing Aids and Airport Security
by August Hernandez, Au.D., FAAA
December 13, 2010

Question: I think I've seen hearing aid user manuals mention not sending hearing aids through the airport x-ray machine, I assume to prevent damage to the microchip. Do they contain enough metal to set off the metal detectors, potentially subjecting wearers to scans and pat-downs? What is the best advice for hearing aid wearers going through security?

Answer: “Attention travelers – please remove all jackets, shoes, laptops, metal, coins, belts and place them in a bin! No liquids greater than 3 ounces allowed. Remove all checked liquids from your bags and place them in a bin inside a clear, one quart-sized bag!” This is but one rendition of the instructions being shouted by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners at all airports these days. As a frequent flyer for the past 11 years I hear these words in my sleep and have become quite adept at moving efficiently through the security checkpoints by following these (and other) TSA guidelines. Thankfully for me (and thousands of people with hearing loss), hearing aids and cochlear implants are not on the restricted list of the TSA...(read entire article)
 

Pharmaceutical Treatments for Hearing Loss 2010

Breakthrough Towards Drug for Hearing Loss
Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Research funded by hearing loss charity RNID has discovered a drug which repairs hearing after damage caused by loud noise.

Researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, showed that exposure to loud noise led to hearing loss which was permanent if left untreated. If treated with a compound called 'ADAC' after noise damage, hearing recovered substantially... (read entire article)

Future Treatments for Sensory Hearing Loss 2009

Regrowing Hair Cells in the Human Cochlea
By Jess Dancer, EdD
June 23, 2009

More than 20 years ago, Douglas Cotanche, PhD, then at the Medical University of South Carolina and now affiliated with Children's Hospital Boston, discovered that the hair cells within the chick cochlea were capable of a "significant amount of recovery and regeneration" following acoustic trauma.¹ His unexpected discovery began a cascade of research on the question of whether hair cells within the human cochlea could someday achieve the same regenerative results. If and when this happens, many of the causes of hearing loss in humans, from noise to aging, can finally be resolved without the need for hearing aids or cochlear implants...(Read entire article)

American Speech & Hearing Association

Listen To Your Buds is a public education campaign that is aimed at preventing noise-induced hearing loss by helping parents teach their children how to use personal audio technology safely.

Protecting Children’s Hearing:

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is caused by exposure to loud sounds and usually occurs painlessly over a period of time. However, it may occur from one exposure to an extremely loud noise. Research suggests that NIHL is occurring at younger ages and with more frequency. Noise from personal headphones, jet skis, concerts, lawn equipment, power tools, firecrackers, household appliances, toys and musical instruments all have the potential to cause hearing loss. NIHL can be prevented. Teach your children to know when loud is too loud.

It's too loud if...

• You must raise your voice to be heard.
• You have difficulty understanding someone who's an arm's length away.
• You have pain, ringing or buzzing in your ears after exposure to loud sounds.
• Speech sounds muffled or dull after noise exposure.

Here are some simple prevention steps:

• Avoid and limit periods of exposure to noise.
• Buy quiet! Don't buy noisy appliances, equipment or toys.
• Don't put objects in the ears such as cotton swabs.
• Monitor hearing when ototoxic drugs are prescribed.
• Wear hearing protectors:

Ear plugs can totally block the ear canal. They come in various pre-made shapes and sizes, or they can be custom-made by taking an impression of the ear. Ear plugs can reduce noise 15-30 dB depending on how they are made and fit.

Ear muffs fit completely over both ears. They must fit tightly so that sound is blocked from entering the ears. Like ear plugs, they can reduce sound 15-30dBs.
 

Life with Hearing Loss

Individuals with hearing loss can have:

• Difficulty speaking and understanding verbal communication.
• Problems in academic achievement, including language arts, vocabulary, arithmetic, and problem solving.
• Lower scores on achievement and verbal IQ tests.
• Greater need for enrollment in special education or extra support in the classroom.
• Feelings of isolation, exclusion, embarrassment, annoyance, confusion, and helplessness.
• A reluctance to participate in activities with others.
• Significant problems following directions.
• Numerous physiological changes, sleep difficulties, digestive problems, delayed emotional development, stress related disorders, behavioral problems, body fatigue, and possible immunological effects.

The source of the above information is ASHA.  For more information contact http://www.listentoyourbuds.org/campaign/

Tags: adult health, children's health, audiology, hearing aid services, hearing loss, michele adams, laura hurst, michael brown