Discovery of New Neurons in the Inner Ear
Working from the knowledge that sound reaching the inner ear is converted into electrical signals relayed to the brain by the ear’s nerve cells in the cochlea, researchers discovered that the cells named type 1 and type 2 neurons, with type 1 transmitting auditory information, were much more complicated than previously known.
Tinnitus And Ear Plugs: What You Should Know
Tinnitus is a health condition that impacts approximately 15% of the population. People with tinnitus experience a persistent ringing in their ears, or constantly feel as though they are being exposed to noise. The condition can be very debilitating and can even keep people from sleeping peacefully at night.
The Mechanical Ear System Explored
The researchers determined that “the way the gel membrane gives our hearing its extreme sensitivity has to do with the size, stiffness, and distribution of nanoscale pores in that membrane, and the way those nanopores control the movement of water with the gel.”
Hospital Readmission Rates with Untreated Hearing Loss
The study found that “among those who were hospitalized, subjects with difficulty communicating medical personnel had a 32-percent increase in the likelihood of being readmitted within 30 days, compared to those who did not report difficulty.” “People with hearing loss often have difficulty understanding speech in noise and stressful situations."
Hearing Loss Affected by Smoking
We have all heard that smoking is “bad” for your health. It should come as no surprise that there are a number of health issues linked to smoking. Well, one more bit of bad news for smokers is that hearing can also be affected by the choice to smoke.
Hearing Loss and Diabetes
“A major national American study has confirmed the correlation between diabetes and hearing loss that several earlier minor isolated studies have pointed towards. The new study found that hearing loss is about twice as prevalent among diabetics as in the general population.” The study was carried out by the National Institutes of Health and supports that hearing loss is an under-recognized risk for diabetics.
Hearing Loss Research - Part 2
We have learned how clinical trials are an integral part of research, but how do researchers approach such trials for hearing health? The Stanford School of Medicine Otolaryngology Department – Head and Neck Surgery has a research entity call the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss (SICHL).
Hearing Loss Research and Clinical Trials
The Columbia University Irving Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery explains on their website (2018): “A clinical trial is a research study using human volunteers, which is intended to add to medical knowledge.
Misophonia, Hyperacusis and Phonophobia
Did you know that there are disorders in hearing certain sounds, or their perceived loudness that are not related to our hearing? They are actually consistent with neurological interpretation of sounds or with types of anxiety disorders. Misophonia, Hyperacusis and Phonophobia are examples.
Untreated Hearing Loss
Are you the person who needs the television or radio volume up so loud that others complain? Do you miss some of the words in conversations or think everyone mumbles? Do you limit your socializing and going to your favorite restaurant because you struggle to hear in noisy environments?
Health Literacy - General Topic
According to the Health Resources & Services Administration’s website, “low health literacy is more prevalent among older adults, minority populations, those who have low socioeconomic status and medically under served people.”