Articles tagged with Deafness
Researchers developed assistive devices to streamline ear reconstruction surgery, minimizing tissue waste and operating time. The tools use 3D manufacturing to precision-cut rib cartilage, enabling a faster, more accurate process with better outcomes.
A study published in Molecular Therapy — Methods & Clinical Development shows that delivering the protein EPS8 via gene therapy can rescue malfunctioning inner ear hair cells that transduce sound. In mice affected by recessive deafness, EPS8 increases stereocilia length and restores hair cell function.
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 case report highlights the dangers of excessive vitamin D intake, with symptoms including abdominal pain, leg cramps, and kidney abnormalities. Doctors warn that hypervitaminosis D is on the rise and can lead to serious health problems if not taken safely.
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.
Researchers studied miniature frogs from the genus Brachycephalus and found that their small vestibular system prevents them from maintaining balance. The tiny frogs can jump but struggle to control their trajectory mid-leap.
A recent study found that American Sign Language (ASL) features a copula called SELF, previously thought to be absent. Researchers tracked the evolution of SELF through historical records and social media videos, discovering a pattern termed the 'copula cycle' that spans over 150 years
A new study from Keck Medicine of USC found that cochlear implants improve deaf children's cognitive, adaptive behavior, language, and auditory skills, regardless of developmental impairments. The study suggests that deaf children with learning delays should receive cochlear implants to reach their full potential.
Scientists have discovered a single master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, overcoming a major hurdle in restoring hearing. This discovery is a major step towards developing specific cells to produce sound.
Scientists have discovered a master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, enabling the development of these cells to restore hearing. This breakthrough could provide a previously unavailable tool to create specific hair cells and improve treatments for age-related hearing loss.
Independence Science has received a $254,767 NSF grant to develop Sci-Dot, a multiline Braille device that collects and analyzes scientific data. The device addresses limitations of current Braille displays and allows blind students to set up and collect experimental data independently.
A study analyzing 185 million COVID-19 vaccine doses found no connection between vaccination and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The results indicate that vaccination is not associated with the development of this condition.
A study of 2.6 million patients in Israel suggests a possible association between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The effect size is very small, indicating that further research is needed to confirm this potential link.
A new project led by Assistant Professor Yun Huang is developing technologies to improve the accessibility of online STEM learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and non-native English speakers. The project will create effective Q&A mechanisms and interaction designs, including chatbots, to enable collaborative caption generation.
Studies using magnetic resonance imaging found a correlation between decreased blood flow in specific brain areas and tinnitus severity. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explored these links to better understand the causes of tinnitus.
A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, also known as sudden deafness, in Israel.
A study by Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that cochlear implantation can improve language skills and social engagement in deaf children with autism spectrum disorder. The study reported improved outcomes in 86% of children, including enhanced communication and interaction with families.
A randomized controlled trial found that assistance dogs significantly improved wellbeing, mental health and independence for people with severe or profound hearing loss. Participants reported better mental well-being, fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduced social isolation.
A University of California, Riverside-led study found that deafness is a significant barrier to accessing health care and resources for deaf individuals living with HIV. The research highlights the need for improved communication, cultural competency, and accessibility in healthcare services to support aging deaf people with HIV.
A survey study found that wearing standard masks hinders nonverbal cues and emotional expression in healthcare workers. Transparent masks could help mitigate this issue during the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing communication between patients and caregivers.
A group of deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists argue that providing basic standards of support can increase diversity in fields of science and medicine. The authors propose five pillars to promote inclusion, including peer mentorship, captioning at conferences, and opportunities for leadership roles.
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.
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
A case study evaluated the experience of a deafblind adult using three wayfinding support tools on an urban college campus. The tactile map proved to be the most successful tool, while the mobile application yielded the lowest performance and confidence. Simplifying wayfinding tools and tailoring information to individual preferences a...
Scientists have discovered a novel deafness gene, TMEM43, linked to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), a rare form of hearing loss that affects speech comprehension. The treatment involves cochlear implants, which have successfully restored speech discrimination in patients, offering new hope for those affected.
Researchers have found that a truncated version of the otoferlin gene, including its transmembrane domain, is essential for proper neurotransmitter release and sensory cell maturation. This discovery brings scientists closer to developing gene therapy treatments for severe congenital hearing loss.
The SignON project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, will develop a mobile solution for automatic translation between sign and oral languages. The platform aims to facilitate exchange between deaf and hard of hearing individuals and hearing people across Europe.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a new gene therapy that replaces the genetic defect causing deafness in mice. The treatment enabled cells to continue functioning normally, preventing gradual deterioration of hearing.
A new study reveals that DeafBlind signers use tactile grammatical structures to convey meaning, suggesting alternative pathways for language development. Researchers analyzed the conventionalization of protactile phonology in US DeafBlind communities, finding consistent patterns in hand articulation and grammar assignment.
Researchers developed SoundWatch, a smartwatch app for deaf, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing people to receive sound alerts from various sources. The app uses machine learning to identify and classify common home-related sounds, enhancing users' experiences and connection to the world.
Deaf children need new social spaces and support as specialist schools close, according to a study by Dr. Hannah Anglin-Jaffe. The proposed hubs would provide expertise on visual learning methods, sign language tuition, and Deaf culture access.
A recent study by Rain Bosworth explores how gaze behaviors reveal cognitive effort and knowledge in signers, with novice and fluent signers exhibiting different eye movements. Fluent signers primarily focus on the face and utilize peripheral vision to catch details.
Researchers found a strong association between high-dose opioid use and degrees of hearing loss, with 21% experiencing permanent loss. The study suggests that health care providers should be aware of this potential link when evaluating patients with hearing issues.
A common inherited genetic variant has been identified as a frequent cause of deafness in adults. The RIPOR2 genetic variant is found in thousands of people at risk of developing hearing loss, making it an ideal target for gene therapy. Researchers estimate that up to 30,000 individuals in northern Europe may be affected.
Harvard University researchers successfully used base editing to correct a recessive genetic mutation causing complete deafness in mice. The treatment restored partially functional hearing, and the scientists hope to apply this technique to humans with similar conditions.
A team of researchers led by Jung-Bum Shin identified Myosin-VIIa as a crucial protein in maintaining proper tension in hair cell mechanoreceptors, enabling sound detection. The discovery sheds light on the biological architecture of hearing and may lead to new treatments for hearing loss.
San Diego State University researchers found a similar brain glitch occurs in signing and speaking errors, which could improve rehabilitation therapy for deaf signers after a stroke. The study used EEG recordings to analyze the brains of both hearing and deaf signers.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative's SCAPE microscopy technique allows researchers to observe large volumes of tissue in 3D, revealing more complex interactions between nerve cells responding to mixed odors. This breakthrough has implications for understanding how the brain perceives smells and may lead to new treatments for neurological disorders.
Researchers describe cases of hearing loss in working dogs, highlighting the importance of noise protection. Hearing loss can be treated, and owners can adapt to help their pets thrive despite the condition.
Researchers discovered that moth thorax scales can absorb and reduce sound energy, evading bats' echolocation. This innovative defense strategy increases moth survival chances.
Researchers found that Western sign languages have DNA traces from 5 European locations, including Austrian, British, French, Spanish, and Swedish. The study used genetic techniques to analyze data from dozens of sign languages, revealing a clearer picture of their evolution and historical development.
Research reveals Deaf infants exposed to American Sign Language exhibit advanced eye-gaze behavior, including 'checking-back' cues. This finding suggests social-cognitive development can be shaped by early-life experiences and visual learning ecologies.
A recent study published in Developmental Science found that Deaf infants raised by Deaf parents are more attuned to their parent's visual cues than hearing infants. This suggests that early experiences with visual language can shape a child's social and communication skills.
A team of researchers has reevaluated a 430,000-year-old cranium, previously thought to be deaf, and found that the individual had normal hearing. The study used CT scans and virtual 3D models to analyze ear structures, revealing that the extra bony growths did not impact hearing abilities.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified two proteins, Activin A and follistatin, that precisely regulate hair cell birth in the mammalian inner ear. This discovery may lead to future therapies for restoring hearing in individuals with irreversible deafness.
Researchers at RIT/NTID create short, conceptually accurate signed videos to address academic language barrier in physics. The project aims to increase deaf individuals' engagement in STEM disciplines by creating a sustainable online repository of technical signs.
Researchers studying Nicaraguan Sign Language find that signs don't move towards the face to be easier to understand. The study uses machine learning and computer vision techniques to analyze language change over 40 years, shedding light on how languages evolve.
Scientists have successfully restored auditory synapse function and hearing thresholds to a near-normal level in adult mice with DFNB9 deafness. The breakthrough uses an AAV-based gene therapy approach that can be used to produce otoferlin and durably correct the profound deafness phenotype in mice.
Researchers compared visual processing skills in hearing and deaf infants aged 7-22 months and found that deaf infants took longer to habituate to new objects and looked away less often. This highlights a difference in how the infants process information, even when it's not auditory in nature.
Astronomers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a workshop that converts astronomical phenomena into vibrations for students with hearing loss. The workshop uses storytelling, videos, and images to bring meaning to the sounds of the universe, making it an engaging experience for deaf students.
A genus of deaf moth has evolved a novel sound-producing structure in its wings to warn bats of its presence. The discovery suggests that the moths are acoustically mimicking unpalatable, sound-producing moths to deter bats.
Scientists at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University have discovered new genetic mutations associated with Usher syndrome, an inherited disorder that affects deaf-blindness. The study found unique mutations in DNA regions and confirmed diagnoses of type II USH in Russian patients.
Astronomer Jason Nordhaus develops a system of complex algorithms to pinpoint existence of previously undiscovered planets and celestial bodies in dying star systems. The technique helps understand the fate of our solar system, other star systems, and stellar interactions.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology are developing a novel gene therapy to treat Usher syndrome type IF. They will use three different strategies to overcome the challenge of delivering the unusually large Usher 1F protein into target cells.
Researchers used French Sign Language and American Sign Language to analyze the logical structure of spoken language. Sign languages reveal a hidden logical structure that must be inferred indirectly in spoken language, like the sentence 'Sarkozy told Obama that he would be elected'. This study highlights both strengths and limitations...
The Bertarelli Foundation has awarded four collaborative research grants to scientists at Harvard Medical School to develop new therapies for debilitating sensory disorders. The grants will focus on addressing hidden hearing loss and developing gene therapy treatments for Usher syndrome.
The NIH grant will support research on biological treatments and clinical diagnosis for patients with hearing loss, a condition affecting over 28 million Americans. Xue Zhong Liu's team will expand a genomic database and assess the impact of genomic testing on patients.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers identifies three molecularly distinct subtypes of neurons responsible for transmitting information from the inner ear to the brain. These subtypes are selectively lost in aging mice and do not emerge properly in deaf-mouse models, suggesting a critical role in age-related hearing loss.
Researchers at the University of Iowa and National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders have discovered a novel drug therapy that partially restores hearing in mice with an inherited form of progressive human deafness. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying this condition, suggesting a new treat...