Hearing Loss News and Research

Latest Hearing Loss News and Research

Study finds lifelong difference in health-related quality of life between rich and poor

"We can't buy our way out of ageing," says Nancy Ross, a McGill geography professor. "As we get older we start to have vision problems, maybe some hearing loss, maybe lose some mobility - ageing is a kind of a social equalizer."

9 Jun 2011

SPI to commence enrollment in SPI-1005 clinical trial to prevent hearing loss induced by loud music

Sound Pharmaceuticals (SPI) will begin recruiting a new clinical trial testing the oral drug SPI-1005 to prevent the hearing loss induced by loud music. Exposure to loud music or noise can induce temporary and permanent auditory threshold shifts (TTS or PTS). In some people, a repeated TTS will ultimately give way to a PTS that is irreversible.

7 Jun 2011

PCR-based saliva test can accurately identify cytomegalovirus infection in newborns

Although cytomegalovirus infection is a known cause of birth defects, including permanent hearing loss, most CMV infections in infants are not identified early, when interventions can lessen the effects of hearing loss.

2 Jun 2011

SMPX gene mutation causes hereditary hearing impairment

Excessive noise is not the only thing that causes damage to hearing. In many cases, genetic factors are responsible for the loss of hearing at a young age. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin together with colleagues from Nijmegen have discovered a previously unknown genetic cause of progressive hearing impairment: the disease is caused by mutations of the SMPX gene, which is located on the X chromosome.

1 Jun 2011

Oral and injected steroids appear to be equally effective for sudden hearing loss

A relatively new treatment for sudden hearing loss that involves injecting steroids into the middle ear appears to work just as well as the current standard of oral steroids, a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins and other institutions suggests.

25 May 2011

Israel President announces launch of new international centre for brain research

On the opening of the ILSI Biomed Israel 2011 week, President Peres has announced the launch of a new international centre in Israel, set to conduct brain research and to promote the neuro-technology field.

24 May 2011

Sonova sales increase 13.3% to CHF 1,617 million for financial year 2010/11

Sonova consolidated its leading position in the hearing instrument industry in financial year 2010/11. Despite negative currency effects, a new sales record of CHF 1,617 million was achieved.

24 May 2011

Research provides insight into brain reorganization following sensory loss

The part of the brain that uses hearing to determine sound location is reorganized in deaf animals to locate visual targets, according to a new study by a team of researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Western Ontario in Canada.

11 May 2011

Reducing hearing aid cost does not improve device purchase

Lowering the cost of hearing aids isn't enough to motivate adults with mild hearing loss to purchase a device at a younger age or before their hearing worsens, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.

11 May 2011

Acousticon receives FDA clearance for ACAM-5 hearing loss product

TCG today announced that Acousticon Inc., one of its portfolio companies, recently received FDA clearance for its ACAM-5 product, allowing the company to begin US commercialization activities for the first time.

9 May 2011

Scientists use new technologies to identify genetic cause of Kufs disease

Scientists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the University of Melbourne have used innovative new technologies to identify the gene responsible for a rare but fatal hereditary brain disorder. The discovery will make it possible to diagnose the disease through a blood test rather than a brain biopsy.

6 May 2011

Merial, GenVec extend deal to develop and commercialize foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

GenVec, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a second agreement with Merial, the animal health division of sanofi-aventis.

3 May 2011

Researchers discover two mutations responsible for neurological condition

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered two mutations responsible for a devastating neurological condition they first identified 15 years ago. The researchers say their study -- appearing in Nature Genetics -- has revealed a new neural pathway that may help understand a variety of similar conditions.

2 May 2011

Study shows direct link between cotton swab use and ruptured eardrum

A study by Henry Ford Hospital shows a direct association between cotton swab use and ruptured eardrum. The study also shows that in most cases the rupture heals on its own and surgery is only necessary for the most severe cases.

28 Apr 2011

Positive results from Otonomy's OTO-104 Phase 1b study in Meniere's disease

Otonomy, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutics for diseases and disorders of the inner and middle ear, today announced positive data from a Phase 1b study of the company's lead product candidate, OTO-104, in patients with Meniere's disease.

28 Apr 2011

Acousticon receives FDA 510K clearance for ACAM-5 integrated hearing loss assessment system

Acousticon Inc., the US subsidiary of Acousticon GmbH announced today that they have received FDA 510K clearance for ACAM-5®, a German-engineered, stand-alone system containing an audiometer integrated with Real Ear Measurement (REM), and Hearing Instrument Test (HIT) modules.

27 Apr 2011

Canadians join hands in fight against meningitis on April 24th

Canadians can join hands in a virtual community with the Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada and become a member of the global family by visiting www.comoonline.org and "joining hands" in the fight against meningitis, and to show support for meningitis awareness and prevention.

25 Apr 2011

FDA approves Sanofi Pasteur's meningococcal vaccine

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted licensure to expand the indication for its meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Menactra, to include a two-dose schedule for infants and children 9 months through 23 months of age.

25 Apr 2011

Experts to present new research on pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders at ASPO meeting

The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology will hold its annual meeting, April 29 - May 1, during the 2011 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings - a joint meeting of eight otolaryngological societies in Chicago, IL.

25 Apr 2011