Tinnitus affects processing of emotions
Patients with persistent ringing in the ears – a condition known as tinnitus – process emotions differently in the brain from those with normal hearing, researchers report in the journal Brain Research. Tinnitus afflicts 50 million people in the United States, according to the American Tinnitus Association, and causes those with the condition to hear […]
Eustachian Tube Problems
What is the Eustachian tube? The Eustachian tube originates in the rear of the nose adjacent to the soft palate, runs a slightly uphill course, and ends in the middle ear space. The middle ear space is the hollowed out portion of the skull bone that contains the hearing apparatus and is covered on one […]
“Signglasses” system opens the universe to deaf students
Ordinarily, deaf students are left in the dark when they visit a planetarium. With the lights off, they can’t see he ASL interpreter who narrates their tour of outer space. With the lights on, they can’t see the constellations of stars projected overhead. That’s why a group at Brigham Young University launched the “Signglasses” project. […]
Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is a device that provides direct electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve in the inner ear. Children and adults with a severe to profound hearing loss who cannot be helped with hearing aids may be helped with cochlear implants. This type of hearing loss is sensorineural, which means there is damage to […]
Audiologic Rehabilitation
Audiologic rehabilitation is the process of providing training and treatment to improve hearing for those who are hearing impaired. Hearing rehabilitation services focus on adjusting to hearing loss, making the best use of hearing aids, exploring assistive devices, managing conversations, and taking charge of communication. Services can be individualised, in small groups or a combination […]
Myths & Facts About Hearing Aids
Myth: Hearing aids restore hearing to normal just as an eyeglass prescription can restore vision to 20/20. Fact: Hearing aids do not restore hearing to “normal”. Hearing aids do not “cure” your hearing loss, but they provide benefit and improvement in communication. They can improve your hearing and listening abilities, and they can substantially improve […]
Key factor in auditory system development discovered
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have uncovered a molecule in an animal model that acts as a key player in establishing the organisation of the auditory system. The molecule, a protein known as Bmp7, is produced during embryonic development and acts to help sensory cells find their ultimate position on the tonotopic map, which […]
Don’t Shout: Billy Falconer’s tips for communicating with a deaf person
In recognition of Deaf Awareness Week we asked one of our hearing dog recipients about their hearing loss and for some top tips on communicating with deaf people. Here is Billy’s story: Billy Falconer has been a hearing dog recipient since 1999 when he was partnered with his first hearing dog, Dougal. Since then […]
Types of Ear Surgery
Ear surgery has advanced at a rapid pace over the last few years. Operations have become more intricate, using microsurgery techniques and laser tools to repair damaged structures within the inner ear, and to fit implants that enable profoundly deaf people to detect sounds. Cosmetic ear surgery has also developed; in addition to the traditional […]
White Noise
While veteran rocker Pete Townsend blames his hearing loss on a lifetime spent using headphones, experts say today’s iPod Generation is storing up trouble for the future by listening to music at high volumes. Is this a crisis in the making? With the notable exception of Morrissey , who enjoyed a phase of appearing with […]
