Hearing News and Research

RSS

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for MDP Syndrome

National Paracycling Champion Tom Staniford has an extremely rare condition which, until now, has puzzled his doctors. He is unable to store fat under his skin - yet has type 2 diabetes - and suffered hearing loss as a child. Now, thanks to advances in genome sequencing, an international research team led by the University of Exeter Medical School has identified Tom's condition and pinpointed the single genetic mutation that causes it.

17 Jun 2013

House lawmakers appear closer on Medicare pay overhaul, Medicaid pay increase

House lawmakers move closer to proposing a plan to overhaul how Medicare pays doctors and wonder how they can increase doctors' Medicaid pay -- typically the purview of states.

15 Jun 2013

Research scientist designs wearable tactile displays for the visually and hearing impaired

In the near future, a buzz in your belt or a pulse from your jacket may give you instructions on how to navigate your surroundings.

14 Jun 2013

Adults formerly treated for childhood cancer have chronic health problems

In an analysis that included more than 1,700 adult survivors of childhood cancer, researchers found a very high percentage of survivors with 1 or more chronic health conditions, with an estimated cumulative prevalence of any chronic health condition of 95 percent at age 45 years, according to a study in the June 12 issue of JAMA.

14 Jun 2013

New study tests vestibular prosthesis to help restore balance for people with Meniere's disease

Many disorders of the inner hear which affect both hearing and balance can be hugely debilitating and are currently largely incurable. Cochlear implants have been used for many years to replace lost hearing resulting from inner ear damage.

14 Jun 2013

People who think they have perfect pitch may not be as in tune as they think

People who think they have perfect pitch may not be as in tune as they think, according to a new University of Chicago study in which people failed to notice a gradual change in pitch while listening to music.

13 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 13, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how employers are preparing for some parts of the health law to kick in.

13 Jun 2013

Study unravels cause of hearing loss in humans

A novel genetic mutation was first identified in 2010 as causing hearing loss in humans. Researchers have now discovered that this mutation induces malfunction of an inhibitor of an enzyme commonly found in our body that destroys proteins.

13 Jun 2013

Hearing loss linked to poor cognitive and physical functioning

"Hearing loss (HL) is a chronic condition that affects nearly 2 of every 3 adults aged 70 years or older in the United States. Hearing loss has broader implications for older adults, being independently associated with poorer cognitive and physical functioning. The association of HL with other health economic outcomes, such as health care use, is unstudied," writes Dane J. Genther, M.D., of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and colleagues, in a Research Letter.

12 Jun 2013

Massachusetts Eye and Ear enrolls deaf children in new clinical trial of Auditory Brainstem Implant

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate, is now enrolling a select group of deaf infants and children in a new FDA-approved clinical trial of an Auditory Brainstem Implant.

12 Jun 2013

Counting down to online insurance marketplaces

The Wall Street Journal reports that consumers should start investigating the health law's insurance exchange options.

11 Jun 2013

Discovery highlights protective role of liver enzyme in treating jaundice

Helping to protect newborns and older patients against more severe effects of jaundice is the hope of University of Guelph researchers, who have shown how a liver enzyme protects cells from damage caused by the condition.

10 Jun 2013

Judge orders Sebelius to put girl who needs lung on transplant list

A federal judge intervened in the case of a 10-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis who needs a lung transplant, ordering HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to provide an exception and place the girl on the adult lung transplant list.

7 Jun 2013

UCLA performs pulse oximetry tests for newborn babies to detect CCHD

Before he was discharged from UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, baby Gaël Villegas received the standard panel of newborn screenings to check for genetic and metabolic diseases and hearing. The results showed a healthy baby.

6 Jun 2013

Lawmakers 'beg' Sebelius for child's lung transplant

A 10-year-old girl in urgent need of a transplant was brought up by some GOP lawmakers during Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' appearance at a House hearing.

6 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 6, 2013

Today's headlines include a report about a new poll showing public uneasiness is increasing in regard to the health law. At the same time, the White House is stepping up its efforts encourage people to enroll in the health coverage the will be available as a result of the overhaul.

6 Jun 2013

Sebelius defends phone calls to urge outreach support

At a House hearing Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she did not seek funds from companies, but did ask them to support the outreach efforts of Enroll America, a nonprofit group. She told panel members she made five calls on behalf of the organization.

6 Jun 2013

'Doc fix' momentum builds among House Republicans

GOP staff of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees released a framework for repealing Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula. One House Democrat said the approach wasn't strong enough.

6 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 5, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the questions about fundraising phone calls faced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius during a Capitol Hill hearing.

5 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Calif., Oregon exchanges curb premiums with limited networks; Why the U.S. pays so much for health care

A closer examination of these health plans (to be offered on the California and Oregon exchanges) reveals a less rosy picture. Although the premiums are lower than some anticipated, this has been achieved by designing the plans around much more limited provider networks and including greater cost-sharing than the typical commercial health-insurance plan. The premiums for the policies that will be offered on the states' exchanges are much higher than analogous plans being sold today (Daniel P. Kessler, 6/3).

5 Jun 2013