CHHA - Manitoba

Hearing Aid You Wear on Your Tooth! Researchers at Sonitus Medical are working to develop a new hearing aid that's worn on a molar. 

Click this link to read the story at http://www.boingboing.net/

Holding Out Hope of a Cure for Deafness: An Israeli hearing loss expert has discovered one of the root causes of deafness, opening up the potential for a whole new range of treatments, and even possibly a cure for both genetic and age-related deafness. In a landmark study, Prof. Karen Avraham of Tel Aviv University has revealed that microRNAs-tiny molecules that regulate cell functions found in the "hair" cells of the ear-help us to hear.

If scientists can figure out how microRNAs regulate hair cells, they could be used to rescue the cells that are dying, says Avraham, who believes that this knowledge will have both diagnostic and therapeutic applications on hearing loss in the near future, even in people where the hearing loss has no genetic basis, like after a major injury to the ear.  To read this April 14, 2009 article published by Israel21C visit http://www.israel21c.net and type Cure for Deafness in the site's search utility.

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.