A study carried out by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine have found that mice lacking the FGF20 protein were deaf from birth. This was
because the area of the inner ear containing a type of hair cell had
not developed normally, as it became stuck in an earlier developmental
stage. This suggests FGF20 is essential for the normal development of
these important cells that are necessary for hearing. The findings may provide a new target for researchers aiming for a
better understanding of deafness due to hair cell defects in humans.

Link: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/01January/Pages/fgf20-gene-cochlear-deteriation-deafness.aspx

The January Edition of Probes and Tips is now available: Types of Hearing Loss. This edition includes such items as:

• Learning more about hearing loss: causes and early detection tips

• Information about an ECHO Initiative Exhibit in Washington DC, Feb. 11-14, 2012

Link: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs073/1102782899287/archive/1109034250728.html

Tests to determine hearing loss in baby’s are being conducted remotely at a CEDDARS testing center at the University of Guam. Events such as this are possible through the Teleaudiology Project, a collaboration between Drs. Debra Hayes and Susan Dreith of the Big Daniel’s Center for Children’s Hearing, Children’s Hospital-Colorado and the Univerity of Guam CEDDARS/Guam EHDI program. The urgent need for diagnosis of very young infants for hearing loss
prompted this much-needed collaboration to bring this service to
families in Guam.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027132506.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily:+Latest+Science+News%29

The National Center for Children with Disabilities recently updated a Spanish version of Developing Your Child’s IEP: “Desarrollando el IEP de Su Hijo.”

Link: http://nichcy.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/spanish/pa12sp.pdf

John Schellman (H.A.D) has been a hearing care provider with AccuQuest Hearing Centers, the largest
hearing health private practice in the nation, and has seen many patients. Of
all the questions he gets, three stand out as some of the most common and
important to understand: 1) What are the symptoms of Hearing Loss? 2) How do I identify my hearing loss? 3) What can I expect from my hearing aids? Read more to learn about some answers to these few but important questions he commonly hears in his office.

Link: http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-27-2011/three-common-questions-about-hearing-loss

Natus Medical Incorporated announced that Jim
Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will make a
presentation at the J.P. Morgan 30th Annual Healthcare Conference. The
conference is being held at Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco on
January 9-12, 2012. Mr. Hawkins is scheduled to present at 4:30 p.m.
Pacific Time (7:30 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Natus is a leading provider of healthcare products used for the
screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common
medical ailments in newborn care, hearing impairment, neurological
dysfunction, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and balance and mobility
disorders.

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/natus-to-present-at-jp-morgan-30th-annual-healthcare-conference-2012-01-03?reflink=MW_news_stmp

That loud toy under the Christmas tree might do more than drive parents
crazy. Researchers at UC Irvine have found that some children’s toys, if
held close enough, can reach decibel levels similar to a subway train
or a chain saw. Researchers suggest buying toys with speakers on the bottom and testing
them in the store to see if they’re painful to the ear. For noisy,
must-have toys already under the tree, they recommend supervision and
putting tape over the speakers to lessen the sound.

Link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/toys-loud-chain-saw-study.html

A program in California is being implemented to facilitate follow-up for infants needing diagnostic audiology evaluations. Babies who do not pass newborn hearing screening tests require immediate diagnosis and intervention. Participation in the program is by referral from the state Hearing Coordination Center. The teleaudiology program is unique because, rather than consulting
with audiologists or other clinicians at a remote location, who then
diagnose and treat the patient, the UC Davis audiologists actually
perform the hearing screening and make the diagnosis.

Link: http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24941-New-teleaudiology-program-improve-follow--for-newborns-who-did-not-pass-hearing-screening.html

Deaf residents in Chicago are being helped out in an amazing way. The Chicago Fire department will install 200 smoke detectors designed for deaf or hard of hearing residents as part of a more than $124,000 FEMA grant that will provide 4,200 smoke detectors to Chicago city dwellers.

Link: http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2358184&spid

She was one of 15 audiologists from around the world who were chosen to travel to hearing implant company MED-EL’s headquarters at Innsbruck, in September, for a five-day training course. She said Connect Hearing also runs monthly ‘Stay Connected’ workshops which are open to anyone affected by hearing loss, directly or indirectly, and offers free hearing screenings. Read more about the training experiences that Busselton audiologist Eimear Faye has gained and how she believes cochlear implants are changing the lives of many deaf people around the world.

Link: http://www.busseltonmail.com.au/news/local/news/general/the-sound-of-progress/2400429.aspx