Hearing News Watch

Jun. 06, 2012

New imaging device may lead to improved treatment of chronic ear infections

David Kirkwood
CHAMPAIGN, lL—Otitis media, an infection of the middle ear, is one of the most common causes of temporary hearing loss among children. The condition often interferes with their ability to learn. Moreover, children who suffer from chronic ear infections that are not properly treated run the risk of developing permanent hearing loss That’s why new technology designed to improve the
Jun. 05, 2012

Students’ concept for mobile hearing screening wins a global competition

David Kirkwood
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA–Someday, maybe soon, expect to see software that enables a mobile phone to screen a person for hearing loss and then wirelessly transmit the results to a medical database, where an audiologist analyzes them. This is the idea behind the Sana AudioPulse technology, devised by students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in partnership with Brazil’s Federal
Jun. 04, 2012

“Let’s Loop America” leader will share good news at HLAA Convention 2012

David Kirkwood
PROVIDENCE, RI—Members of the Hearing Loss Association of America® will learn about the dramatic increase in the availability of hearing loops in this country when they attend the opening session of  HLAA’s 2012 Convention, slated for June 21 at 5 pm in Providence. The keynote speaker will be David G. Myers, PhD, who as leader of the “Let’s Loop America”
May. 31, 2012

Link in to the sights and sounds of hearing loops

David Kirkwood
Here are two links for June, sent to Hearinghealthmatters.org by our friend Dave Myers, one of America’s leading advocates for hearing loops. To share the joy of a nine-year-old girl’s first experience with a hearing loop in her home TV room, click here. To appreciate the benefit that a loop system provides to parishioners at at Trinity Episcopal Church in
May. 30, 2012

When a little boy won’t wear his hearing aids, a superhero comes to the rescue

David Kirkwood
SALEM, NH—Meet Blue Ear, the latest Marvel superhero. And, while he has superpowers, Blue Ear also has a hearing loss–until he puts on a special listening device that gives him super-sonic hearing. Blue Ear isn’t the first Marvel character with a hearing loss. Hawkeye, who lost his hearing in a battle with Crossfire in the 1980s, is featured in The
May. 29, 2012

Study finds a majority of teens reported reduced hearing after a rock concert

David Kirkwood
LOS ANGELES—By now, most Americans, teenagers included, have probably heard that exposure to loud music can be hazardous to their hearing. Yet a study by the House Clinic provides specific and alarming information about just how hazardous attending a rock concert can be. In a presentation last month to the 2012 Meeting of the American Otologic Society, M. Jennifer Derebery, MD,
May. 23, 2012

The man behind The Incredible Hulk has incredible news: He can hear!

David Kirkwood
By David H. Kirkwood Lou Ferrigno, who overcame profound hearing loss to become a TV and movie star best known for playing The Incredible Hulk, has long been an inspiration to young people growing up with impaired hearing. He has generously shared his remarkable story as a spokesperson for the Better Hearing Institute for 25 years and as a stalwart
May. 21, 2012

Arizona advocacy group criticizes company’s online approach to hearing care

David Kirkwood
PHOENIX—The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) issued a strong statement last week opposing the service-delivery model developed by hi HealthInnovations for online hearing testing and sale of hearing aids directly to consumers. Although the commission said it “encourages efforts to find a safe, effective and affordable methods of delivering hearing health care in America,” it
May. 18, 2012

In-the-mouth hearing device maker raises $25 million more in venture capital

David Kirkwood
SAN MATEO, CA—Sonitus Medical, Inc.,  manufacturer of the only non-surgical and removable hearing device that transmits sound via the teeth, announced this week that it has closed a $25 million Series D round of venture capital funding. Several investors took part, led by Abingworth, an international investment group dedicated exclusively to the life sciences and healthcare sector. The Sonitus Medical
May. 16, 2012

FDA will tell consumers everything they need to know about hearing aids

David Kirkwood
SILVER SPRING, MD–The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) will offer a free webinar next week to tell consumers what they need to know about hearing loss and hearing aids. The 30-minute webinar will take place Wednesday, May 23, at 2 pm Eastern time. The featured speaker will be Shu-Chen Peng, PhD, an audiologist