Re sounding Success for Hearing Research

Researchers at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) have found a treatment for a hearing problem affecting about 18,000 children that can be installed on a home computer.

The condition, Spatial Processing Disorder (SPD), makes it diffi

cult for children to understand what people say when there is background noise – for example in the classroom.The cause is unknown, but it is common in children who had middle ear infections when they were younger, and its impact on learning can be profound. http://ow.ly/emzRl

Link: http://ow.ly/emzRl

Studies Show Links Between ADHD and Undiagnosed Hearing Loss

The Better Hearing Institute is drawing attention to the importance of hearing checks as an integral part of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis process. BHI also is encouraging appropriate treatment by a hearing h

ealthcare professional when hearing loss and/or other auditory-related communication disorders co-exist with ADHD. 

About 1.1 million young people under the age of 18 in the United States have hearing loss, and only 16 percent of them use hearing aids. Studies show that children with even mild hearing loss, when left unaddressed, are at risk for learning and other social, emotional, behavioral, and self-image problems.

Link: http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/news/Hearing-loss/Causes/50658-More-studies-show-links-between-adhd-and-hearing-loss

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