Hearing News Watch

A new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery reveals that despite significant growth in the number of U.S. hearing health care (HHC) professionals over the past decade, the majority of the country continues to experience access shortages—particularly in rural areas. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of hearing health professionals, including audiologists and hearing instrument specialists, increased by

A new study using personal noise dosimetry has found that people with tinnitus experience significantly quieter daily environments than those without the condition. Published in Scientific Reports, the research offers novel insights into how individuals with tinnitus navigate their soundscapes—and raises important questions about the role of lifestyle and sound tolerance in managing the condition. The researchers equipped 108 adults,

The scientific lecture program for the 69th International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians (EUHA) will feature more than 25 presentations and five tutorials. For the first time, the program has been organized into thematic clusters to help attendees tailor their experience based on specific areas of interest. The congress will open with a keynote address by Dr. Markus Peifer, Head

MILAN, ITALY — Global hearing care provider Amplifon has reported its first-half 2025 financial results, showing modest revenue growth despite facing economic uncertainty, foreign exchange pressures, and softening consumer demand in key markets. While revenue rose slightly, the company saw declines in profitability and announced a strategic plan to improve operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. First-Half Results Reflect Market Pressures

AURORA, ILLINOIS – Sonova USA Inc. announced today that it will discontinue its supply relationship with CQ Partners, LLC, effective September 13, 2025. The decision is part of Sonova’s ongoing strategy to streamline operations and focus on direct engagement with hearing care professionals. No disruption to existing customer services is anticipated. CQ Partners, formed in 2021 through the merger of

A large-scale study published this week in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery has found that meclizine, a commonly prescribed medication for dizziness and vertigo, is associated with a significantly increased risk of injurious falls in both older and younger adults. The findings raise concerns about the routine use of this vestibular suppressant across care settings and age groups. Meclizine, a

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have adapted a low-cost imaging method originally developed for ophthalmology and used it to visualize tiny structures in the human inner ear. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a tool routinely used to diagnose and manage eye diseases, has now been modified to image the inner ear. A proof-of-concept

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has advanced an amendment to the Veterans’ ACCESS Act (H.R. 740) that explicitly includes Hearing Aid Specialists in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care program. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), mirrors language from H.R. 3088, the Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act, which seeks to amend the

KANSAS CITY, MO — While humans can regularly replace certain cells, such as those in the blood and gut, most other tissues in the body do not naturally regenerate. For example, when the tiny sensory hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, the result is often permanent hearing loss, deafness, or balance disorders. In contrast, animals like fish, frogs,

What gives the human ear its remarkable ability to detect the faintest sounds and discern subtle shifts in pitch? For decades, scientists have recognized that our hearing depends on an “active process” in the cochlea—a built-in amplifier that boosts mechanical signals. But exactly how this process works, especially in mammals, has remained a mystery, primarily because of the cochlea’s fragility