CHHA - Manitoba

Solar Powered Hearing Aids:  The World Health Organization reports that a new solar powered hearing aid has been developed in Botswana for use there and other developing countries.  Click here to read the entire article at Hear It. 

Hearing Aid Subsidies Across Canada:  CHHA National researchers have compiled data from across Canada on subsidies and support for people with hearing loss.  Their report (updated, Autumn, 2009) details the support provided by each province and territory, along with wait-times for cochlear implant and BAHA surgeries. You can read the full report at http://www.chha.ca/documents/Hearing_Aid_Subsidies_Across_Canada.pdf

Exciting research news - ultrasound for the inner ear:  Researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax are developing a miniature ultrasound device so small that it can be passed through the ear drum to examine the inner ear. Click the link to read the whole story published in December 2008 on CBC's web site.

Classroom Noise: Read the January 2009 press release from the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) recommending establishment of Canadian sound-standards for new schools and improvements to existing ones.  In addition to affecting children's ability learn, a noisy classroom can also affect teachers by causing voice strain.

Leisure Noise:  A warning to youth from the Eurpoean Union about the risk of hearing loss from "leisure noise"caused by personal music players used at high volumes.  According to EU spokeswoman Helen Kearns at a news conference in October  2008, European regulators will consider lowering the legal limit of 100 decibels for MP3 players.

Hearing Loss Epidemic:  A new survey from a team of researchers at the American Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland indicates that we may be facing an epidemic of hearing impairment.  The team found that hearing loss affects 8.5 percent of those in their 20's and 17 percent of people in their 30's.  Exposure to workplace noise, firearms, and in particular, loud music, are the greatest risk factors driving the increases in hearing loss.  Hearing loss is also a natural consequence of getting older.  Added together, the aging population and the growing use of personal listening devices are predicted to result in a significant rise in the prevalence of hearing loss in the United States.

Core-Micro Safe Volume Headset:  Help prevent hearing loss from listening to loud music.  Parents may want to consider this product for their music-addicted teenagers - or maybe even themselves!  The earbuds on this headset contain a tiny circuit that prevents sounds from exceeding the level of city traffic - 85 decibels.  The product is available at Real Canadian Superstore and Dell Canada Online.