Hearing News Watch

As the month of April draws to a close, as large parts of the country continue to wait for the full bloom of spring, audiologists look back on two recently concluded events. Key topics at both events hold potentially monumental consequences, as government regulatory agencies wrestle with issues related to competition, innovation and consumer access. The American Academy of Audiology

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — University of Kentucky (UK) researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism required for stabilizing stereocilia, the sensory “hair cells” housed within the inner ear. The discovery provides new insights into the workings of stereocilia and this new understanding could enhance further exploration of new therapies to treat or prevent damage to the fragile sensory cells. The research, “Mechanotransduction

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA — According to multiple reports this past week, Apple is said to have hired a “top secret” team of biomedical engineers to develop sensor technology that can non-invasively monitor blood sugar levels to manage diabetes. While the company wouldn’t be the first to attempt such a feat, the tech giant certainly has the resources to put towards

WOBURN, MASSACHUSSETTS — Frequency Therapeutics, a biotech firm developing drugs to re-create sensory cells in the inner ear, announced that it had closed a $32 million Series A investment, led by CoBro Ventures. Other investors include Morningside Ventures, Emigrant Capital and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Founded in 2015, Frequency’s approach is based on discoveries of MIT professor Bob Langer and

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — A bill that would require insurance companies in the state of Georgia to cover hearing aids for children was approved late last month by the state Senate by a margin of 47-6. A prior version of the bill had already passed in the state House by 155-5. Now, the legislation heads to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk, where

Since at least 1950 when Fletcher and Galt published a scientific paper on the Articulation Index (AI), hearing care professionals have examined the relationship between frequency-specific audibility and speech intelligibility. As most know, the current standard for quantifying this relationship is the Speech Intelligibility Index or SII. Although the SII has been around for about 20 years, there are others

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — If a bill recently introduced into the California state senate by senator Cathleen Galgiani (District 05) becomes law, hearing aid dispensers in the state will be allowed to conduct cerumen management (earwax removal) and tympanometry. The bill, SB-198, is said to only authorize cerumen management for hearing aid dispensers under physician and/or surgeon supervision. Additionally, the bill

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Deaf History Month, which is celebrated nationally from March 13 through April 15, could soon get formal recognition in the state of Ohio. Senate Bill 27, introduced by Senator Bill Beagle, has already received approval by the Ohio Senate and now moves to the House floor for a vote. Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community advocates hope that Ohio

WOBURN, MASSACHUSSETTS — Frequency Therapeutics, a biotech firm developing drugs to re-create sensory cells in the inner ear, announced the appointment of John LaMattina, PhD, as a member of its Scientific Advisory Board and Senior Advisor to the CEO. According to the company’s press release, Dr. LaMattina is the former President of Pfizer Gobal Research and Development and Senior Vice

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — Researchers from the University of Florida found that children receiving commonly prescribed quinolone antibiotic ear drops (ex: Ciprofloxacin) following ear tube surgery, are 60 percent more likely to have eardrum perforations compared with those receiving neomycin ear drops. Additionally, when combined with steroids, the study suggests the risk of eardrum perforations may be even greater. The new