Articles tagged with Audiology
Researchers at Rice University develop a new way to model the cochlea's sound processing using graph signal processing, identifying broader functional relationships between sensory cells. The model, called GSP Cochlea, performs better in detecting signals in noise and may hold the key to personalized device settings for hearing aids.
Adults with both epilepsy and hearing loss who use hearing aids have a 23% lower risk of developing dementia. The association was observed consistently across all analyses, suggesting that correcting hearing impairment may have a greater impact on dementia risk in people with reduced cognitive reserve.
A team of researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted a study on 28 individuals who experience an unexplained buzzing or humming sound. The investigation tested two hypotheses: measuring the sound waves from human-made infrastructure and industry, as well as those produced by nature itself.
Researchers have created genetically modified marmosets with a knocked-out OTOF gene, replicating key characteristics of human deafness. The animals developed normally but were deaf from birth, offering a crucial tool for developing new therapies.
Researchers found that closing eyes impairs hearing in noisy environments, while visual engagement improves sensitivity. Visual engagement helps anchor the auditory system to the external world.
A new study found that nearly one in five adults with tinnitus have had to reduce their working hours or leave employment due to the condition. The research also revealed that targeted interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can improve work productivity and overall wellbeing.
Researchers have developed a new AI tool called VASCilia that provides unprecedented 3D views of cochlear hair cells. The tool accelerates the imaging process by 50-fold, allowing scientists to analyze cells with greater precision and accuracy. This advancement offers new insights into hearing loss caused by damaged inner ear hair cells.
The Hearing Protection Optimization Tool translates acoustic and psychoacoustic factors into clear visuals, helping users compare different hearing protection devices. The tool matches users with regulatory-approved HPDs based on their noise environment and preferences.
Researchers found CI sound quality leads to a 32% variance in users' quality of life, while speech recognition has virtually no predictive power. The study challenges decades of clinical practice focusing on speech understanding in quiet environments.
A study of individuals with autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, and typical hearing found that cognitive ability significantly impacted successful speech perception in noisy environments. The researchers discovered a highly significant relationship between intellectual ability and multitalker listening challenge scores.
A recent study reveals that nearly 60% of people with hearing loss feel embarrassed or uncomfortable sharing their struggles, while professionals often focus on stigma around hearing aids. The research highlights the need to challenge outdated stereotypes and encourages open conversations about hearing loss.
Research suggests that linear amplification can improve vocal emotion recognition in individuals with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. The study found that amplification across all sound levels can enhance the ability to recognize emotions in voices, particularly in middle-aged and older adults.
A new study conducted at Karolinska Institutet reports that gene therapy improved hearing in all ten patients with congenital deafness or severe hearing impairment. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed remarkable results, with the majority of patients recovering some hearing after just one month.
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
A randomized clinical trial found that over-the-counter and audiologist-assisted services yielded similar outcomes to prescription hearing aids. High-end and low-end hearing aids showed comparable results, challenging the need for higher-cost high-end models.
A new study found that providing hearing aids and advice on their use can help preserve social connections in older adults, reducing loneliness. The study showed that those treated for hearing loss retained one additional social connection over a three-year period compared to those who received no treatment.
A study on Brazilians in their 50s found that those with hearing loss experienced faster cognitive decline than expected for their age. This highlights the importance of addressing hearing health to prevent dementia, which is a growing concern worldwide.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found novel biomarkers for tinnitus that correlate with nervous system's 'fight, flight, or freeze' response. Facial movements and pupil dilation measured while listening to unpleasant sounds can predict tinnitus severity.
A new brain-inspired algorithm developed at BU can help hearing aids tune out interference and isolate single talkers in a crowd of voices. In testing, researchers found it could improve word recognition accuracy by 40 percentage points relative to current hearing aid algorithms.
The initiative focuses on promoting conscious design processes to create quieter products, buildings and transportation systems to reduce noise pollution. By adopting a systems-thinking approach, it will address the root causes of noise and its impacts on people, environment and economy.
Researchers from Lancaster University found a significant link between hearing impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, revealing a 57% higher risk for every 10-decibel increase in baseline hearing loss.
A team led by University of Rochester professor Edmund Lalor aims to understand how the brain processes audiovisual information to improve speech comprehension for individuals with cochlear implants. They will use noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) brainwave measurements to study how people respond to multisensory speech.
Researchers found that dogs slow down their speech rate when addressed by humans, while humans' speech rhythms meet in the middle. Dogs process human language only within the delta band (1-3 Hz) and with phonological content, debunking myths about prosody sensitivity.
Researchers successfully increase inner ear synapses in young mice to produce supranormal hearing, supporting a hypothesis on the cause of hidden hearing loss in humans. The study suggests that preserving or increasing synapses may improve auditory processing and offer new treatment options for certain hearing disorders.
West Virginia University researchers introduced a new database showing occupational licensing's impact on the workforce, highlighting how licenses increase cost and time to enter professions, affecting consumers. The database encompasses 50 jobs across all 50 states, providing insights into licensing standards, fees, and requirements.
A new app, MindEar, has shown promising results in reducing tinnitus symptoms in just weeks through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises. The app is now available for individuals to trial on their smartphones, offering hope for millions affected by tinnitus.
Scientists identify ERBB2 pathway as key to promoting regeneration of cochlear hair cells, a crucial step towards treating hearing loss. The study's findings offer new hope for restoring auditory function after damage in mammals.
A study by researchers at Linköping University and the Oregon Health and Science University has discovered that many cells in the inner ear react simultaneously to low-frequency sound, making it easier to experience these sounds. This new understanding may lead to improved cochlear implants for people with severe hearing impairments.
Digital health technology enables quality healthcare access regardless of location, monitoring individuals exposed to excessive noise or ototoxic medication. Researchers explore how telehealth can facilitate the prevention of permanent hearing loss and close the gap on hearing health disparities.
A new mobile-phone-based therapy has shown clinically significant improvements in patients with tinnitus, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments. The therapy involves a personalized approach combining digital tools and audiologist assessment, with 65% of participants reporting an improvement in just 12 weeks.
Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear have received a five-year, $12.5 million grant to study cochlear synaptopathy, or hidden hearing loss, which can cause neural degeneration behind normal audiogram measurements. The team aims to understand its causes, identify it in patients with traditional hearing loss, and develop future therapies.
A study by researchers at Uppsala University found that crocodiles can regenerate their hair cells due to the activation of support cells and efferent nerves. This discovery may lead to new treatments for people with impaired hearing, who affect over 1.2 billion worldwide.
The Collaborative Research Centre Hearing Acoustics is developing smart hearing aids that use artificial intelligence to adjust to different environments. The project, which aims to create more adaptable hearing devices, has received $8.1 million in funding for another four years.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet developed a novel method to diagnose constant tinnitus using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). The study found that people with occasional tinnitus are at increased risk of developing constant tinnitus, while those with existing constant tinnitus are more likely to experience persistent symptoms.
Researchers have identified specific bacterial interactions in disease-resistant children that protect against chronic middle ear infections. This discovery could lead to new treatments and preventative measures for Indigenous communities, which are disproportionately affected by the condition.
Researchers developed a flexible, self-powered device that translates sound waves into electrical signals, mimicking the inner ear's function. The device, implanted in a model ear, accurately recreated music files, offering a promising solution for treating hearing loss without batteries.
The study found that electronic prompts can increase awareness of hearing loss among patients and improve clinician buy-in for referrals. Clinicians reported prioritizing the prompts during annual visits and resulting in more conversations with patients about hearing loss.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has shed light on why it's difficult to learn a second language as an adult. Researchers found that clusters of neurons in the speech cortex fine-tune themselves as listeners gain familiarity with foreign sounds, indicating a crucial step in language learning.
A new study published in Brain and Cognition found that musicians have faster reaction times to sensory stimuli than non-musicians. The research suggests that long-term musical training can reduce simple non-musical auditory, tactile, and multisensory reaction times.
Adding higher frequencies to the American Academy of Pediatrics hearing test protocol helps detect adolescent hearing loss. Early detection enables modification of behavior to prevent continued damage. The study found that young adults with mild hearing loss may exhibit reading, emotional, or socialization problems.
A BMJ investigation analyzed 3,494 contracts awarded by Clinical Commissioning Groups in England between 2013 and 2014, showing that non-NHS providers secured 45% of these contracts. NHS providers won 55%, while private sector providers were successful in competitive tender processes and smaller AQP-based contracts.
Research by University of Alberta's Bill Hodgetts found that exercising in gyms often leads to increased volume levels, potentially causing hearing loss. The solution lies in using earphones with earplugs or sealant materials to reduce background noise and protect auditory health.
The Voice Academy website, funded by a NIDCD grant, provides virtual classrooms and resources for kindergarten through high school teachers to learn about voice health and prevention. The site aims to help teachers address voice problems, such as hoarseness and fatigue, with behavioral changes and expert advice.
Researchers have developed new diagnostic tools to assess injury risk in wheelchair users, measure hand movement, and improve tinnitus rehabilitation. A computerized glove and instrumented globe system enhance hand-function assessment and shoulder rehabilitation, while shock-absorbing prostheses promote active lifestyles for amputees.