All posts by nchamstaff

What are the Differences Between Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants?

Hearing aids are the instrument of choice for the majority of the 26 million Americans with hearing loss, but for those who are deaf or severely hard of hearing, cochlear implants may be a better option. Both hearing aids and cochlear impla

nts work best for individuals diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, meaning they have damage to the hair cells in the inner ear and/or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in the United States. Learn more about the difference between hearing aids and cochlear implants options by following this link.

Link: http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/articles/Technology/Cochlear-implants/50652-What-is-the-difference-between-hearing-aids-and-cochlear-implants

Gallaudet University Accepting Applications for Infants, Toddlers, and their Families Graduate Certificate Program

Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. is accepting applications for the 3rd cohort of students for The Infants, Toddlers and their Families Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program. The new cohort will begin in May 2013 with 3 days 

of on campus learning followed by online instruction. The program is offered for either Graduate or Professional Studies Training credits. All applications should be submitted by February 1, 2013.

To learn more, please visit Gallaudet’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/GallaudetITFProgram or contact them at ITF@gallaudet.edu for more information.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/GallaudetITFProgram

WHO and UNICEF: Early Childhood Development and Disability: A Discussion Paper

The World Health Organization and UNICEF
recently published a new paper, Early Childhood Development and
Disability: A Discussion Paper (September 2012). The paper provides an
overview of disability in early childhood and underscores the need
to strengthen and scale up early childhood development initiatives, in
order to ensure that children with disabilities can participate
meaningfully in their homes, schools and communities. It is meant to
encourage international discussion, planning and action on issues
related to disability, early childhood development, and early
intervention. For free access to a pdf version of the discussion paper, click on the read more link!

Link: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/75355/1/9789241504065_eng.pdf

ASHA Post: The Future of Genetics At Our Doorstep

Until recently, speech and language disorders
have been viewed as complex disorders produced by multiple-gene
interaction. Participant samples selected for genetics studies consisted
of affected children, their siblings, and, in some cases, the parents or even a multigenerational set of relatives; most samples represented many different families.

A new approach to studying the genetics of speech and language
disorders is to study the disorder within individual families. If there
are distinct subtypes of genetic etiology, this approach is more likely
to capture causal genes and is more feasible now than in the past, given
new technology such as high-efficiency (“next-generation”) sequencing
of parts of or even the entire genome. Follow this link to learn more!

Link: http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2012/120918/The-Future-of-Genetics-At-Our-Doorstep.htm

Live Webinar: Quality in the Clinic: Design, Implementation and Measurement of the Patient Experience

Audiology Online presents a Live Webinar: Quality in the Clinic: Design, Implementation and Measurement of the Patient Experience, scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 10:00 am MDT. 

Course Abstract
As the delivery of health care e

volves, ‘quality’ is sure to become more of a buzzword in the audiology clinics around the US. Using a patient-centric point of view, this course will provide insight into how a clinic can apply many of the lessons from our manufacturing partners in the pursuit of quality.

CEUs/Hours Offered: AAA/0.1 Intermediate; ACAud/1.0; AHIP/1.0; ASHA/0.1 Intermediate, Professional; BAA/1.0; CAA/1.0; CASLPA/1.0; Calif. HADB/1.0 Hearing Aid Related; IHS/1.0

Limited seating is available for this interactive live webinar, so sign up now by following this link.

Link: http://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/hearing-aids-adults-practice-management-marketing-business-issues-quality-in-clinic-design-implementation-21033

New Findings on the Workings of the Inner Ear

The sensory cells of the inner ear have tiny hairs called
stereocilia that play a critical part in hearing. It has long been known that
these stereocilia move sideways back and forth in a wave-like motion when
stimulated by a sound wave. After having designed a microscope to observe these
movements, a research team in Sweden has discovered that the hairs not only
move sideways but also change in length.

The discovery, which was made in collaboration with
scientists at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, USA provides new fundamental
knowledge about the mechanisms of hearing. It is presented in the online
scientific journal Nature Communications.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121002113414.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fhearing_loss+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+&+Medicine+News+--+Hearing+Loss%29

The October edition of Probes and Tips is now available: OAE Hearing Screening in Home Settings

The October edition of Probes and Tips is now available: OAE Hearing Screening in Home Settings. This edition includes such items as:

  • Tips for successful screening
  • Tips for taking care of the screening environment: Limiting noise in the home
  • Involving the assistance of family members with in-home screening

Link: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs073/1102782899287/archive/1111141840617.html

Gene Discovered That Causes a Form of Deafness in Usher Syndrome Type 1

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found a new genetic mutation they believe may be responsible for deafness and hearing loss associated with Usher syndrome type 1. Follow this link to learn more about these findings, which were published in the Sept. 30 advance online edition of the journal Nature Genetics. This could help researchers develop new therapeutic targets for those at risk for this syndrome.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120930142104.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2F

October is National Audiology Awareness and National Protect Your Hearing Month

The American Academy of Audiology reminds us that it is October which officially begins National Audiology Awareness Month and National Protect Your Hearing Month. The Academy is dedicated to advancing the profession through increasing public awareness of audiology and the importance of hearing protection. Your grassroots efforts to educate the public locally will make a profound difference! Follow this link for tools and resources that help you in promoting awareness. 

Link: http://www.audiology.org/resources/consumer/audiologyawareness/Pages/default.aspx

Hearing Brains Are 'Deaf' to Disappearance of Sounds, Study Reveals

Our brains are better at hearing new and approaching sounds than detecting when a sound disappears, according to a study published September 27 funded by the Wellcome Trust. The findings could explain why parents often fail to notice the su

dden quiet from the playroom that usually accompanies the onset of mischief.

Researchers at the UCL Ear Institute wanted to try and understand what makes certain sounds easily detectable while others go unnoticed. Learn more about the results of this study by following this link.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120927174751.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fhearing_loss+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+&+Medicine+News+--+Hearing+Loss%29