Scientists have used invisible infrared light to make rat heart cells
contract and toadfish inner-ear cells send signals to the brain. The
discovery someday might improve cochlear implants for deafness and lead
to devices to restore vision, maintain balance and treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110328092508.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fhearing_loss+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Hearing+Loss%29

Watch the new video to find out how families, health practitioners and quality improvement experts are working together in theImproving Hearing Screening & Intervention Systems (IHSIS) project to ensure that all babies receive appropriate follow-up after
failing their newborn hearing test. 

Link: http://www.nichq.org/who_we_are/in_the_news.html?id=79

Hearing can be permanently damaged by loud summer noises such as
fireworks, marching bands, construction and the like. An audiologist
explains decibels for common sounds and offers tips and expertise to
safeguard hearing.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120625162911.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fhearing_loss+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+&+Medicine+News+--+Hearing+Loss%29

ABC World News with Diane Sawyer is interested in doing a story on
hearing aid access for children. They would like to talk to families who
have a child that needs hearing aids (and does NOT yet have them)
because insurance does not cover it and they are seeking another way to
purchase them.

If you know of a family in this situation please contact Karen Munoz at karen.munoz@usu.edu as soon as possible.

Link:

There are more than 1 million people in the U.S. who are functionally
deaf, and another 10 million who are hard of hearing, according to a
2005 study. With such an enormous population comes a need for better
methods of translating sign language to
spoken language. The MyVoice prototype is based around a handheld device
with a built-in microphone, speaker, soundboard, video camera, and
screen. The device can be placed on a hard surface, where it reads a
user’s sign language movements. MyVoice processes sign language motions
and can translate them using specific algorithms into an electronic
voice. It can also monitor a person’s voice and translate words into
sign language, which is projected on an LCD display.

Link: http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680081/a-device-to-translate-sign-language-into-speech

Children exposed to HIV in the womb may be more likely to experience hearing loss by age 16 than are their unexposed peers, according to scientists in a National Institutes of Health research network.

The researchers estimated that hearing loss affects 9 to 15 percent of HIV-infected children and 5 to 8 percent of children who did not have HIV at birth but whose mothers had HIV infection during pregnancy. Study participants ranged from 7 to 16 years old. The researchers defined hearing loss as the level at which sounds could be detected.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120620154003.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fhearing_loss+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Hearing+Loss%29

Check out the latest “Medical Home Update” for information on three
noteworthy upcoming webinars. To receive these updates and more directly
to your inbox, fill out the National Center for Medical Home
Implementation’s quick e-Newsletter sign up form at www.medicalhomeinfo.org/contact/listserv.aspx.

Link: http://www.sharethiscontent.net/Actions/social_share_version.cfm?message_id=2064460&user_id=AAPorg&recipient_id=999999999&social_source=facebook

ASHA’s Listen to Your Buds campaign offers tips for safe summer
listening–and this printable, easy-to-share infographic comes with tips
to protect kids’ hearing…available on Pinterest. 

Link: http://pinterest.com/pin/54746951690759219/

Check out this webinar: “Inclusion: The Importance of Including Students
with Disabilities in the General Education Classroom” is now available
online from Michigan Alliance for Families at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22FXYMKZZ5W/

Link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22FXYMKZZ5W/

Hearing loss is a prevalent cause of poor language development and educational achievements in children. Neurotologist Dr Howard Francis of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine says one in every 500 children is born with a “significant” hearing loss. Francis said if this was not properly addressed, then children can be left in a precarious situation in society. He said, in addition, there were children who developed ear infections which were also quite prevalent. Ear infections have a significant impact on children’s behavior. Parents need to recognise whether a child is having frequent ear infections or seems not to be hearing as well as he/she should be most of the time. He said children should be taken to a doctor if hearing loss or ear infections are suspected. He said if a baby’s babbling is not progressing then there is a problem.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2012-06-16/parents-monitor-kids-hearing-loss