Did you know that certain toys may be too loud for children and could cause hearing loss? According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) a sound measuring 85 dBA is safe for up to 8 hours while sound measuring at 100 dBA is only safe for 15 minutes! Sadly many toys measured by consumers groups this year exceeded 100 dBA – putting children at high risk for damaging their hearing within a matter of minutes of play time. This article provides information about which toys may be harmful to children and what to watch for when protecting a children’s hearing.
Link: http://www.healthyhearing.com/articles/44081-toys-cause-hearing-loss
NIDCD Working Group on Accessible and Affordable Hearing Health Care for Adults with Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders/National Institutes of Health (NIDCD/NIH) sponsored a working group on Accessible and Affordable Hearing Health Care for Adults with Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss on August 25-27, 2009. A summary of the working group meeting along with research recommendations can be found here: www.nidcd.nih.gov/.
Link: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/funding/programs/09HHC/summary.htm
NH House Considers Mandating Hearing Aid Coverage
Insurance policies sold in New Hampshire may be required to provide $1,500 in coverage for hearing aids every three years under a bill being considered by the House.
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9491066
Giving the gift of hearing
Interested in learning more about how EHDI programs are being implemented in other parts of the world? This brief article describes a volunteer project in the Dominican Republic and provides contact information for learning more about the non-profit group that organized the trip.
Link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100105-NEWS-1050351
Infant Hearing Loss
Early hearing detection invervention information for newborns. Health experts recommend screening for hearing problems before a newborn leaves the hospital. Two tests are used for newborn hearing screening: the auditory brain stem response and the otoacoustic emission test.
Link: http://www.wsoctv.com/health/22098057/detail.html
Engineer Working to Improve Cochlear Implants
Engineer at the University of Texas at Dallas has received a grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders to improve the hearing of cochlear implant patients where they previously struggled to hear (i.e. parties, sporting events, and other noisy and crowded places).
Link: http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/08/13-003.php
Hospital helps children with hearing loss
The Carle Foundation Hospital opens a new building in Urbana, Illinois for Expanding Children’s Hearing Opportunities (ECHO) program for children with hearing loss.
Link: http://www.dailyvidette.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91:hospital-helps-children-with-hearing-loss&catid=60:newsstate&Itemid=53
China Study Abroad provides academic enrichment, forges strong bonds
The China Study Abroad program at Gallaudet University has had a broad impact on deaf Chinese people, and the students involved.
Link: http://news.gallaudet.edu/?ID=15878
Quiet Star?
A young football player from the Maryland School for the Deaf gets a scholarship to play for Towson University this Fall.
Link: http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=5106
Breaking down a sound barrier for the youngest patients
Cochlear implant technology makes it possible for babies and toddlers to receive the implant.