CRISPR treatment prevents hearing loss in mice
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to disrupt a genetic mutation causing deafness in mice, preserving some hearing. The treatment reversed hair cell damage and improved inner ear function.
Deafness
Articles tagged with Deafness
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UTSA researchers receive $147,000 grant to train school psychologists in deaf education
The UTSA DEEP Learning in Texas Project aims to address professional shortages in school psychology and deaf education. Graduate students will complete cooperative coursework and gain hands-on experience through internships.
Navigating the genome to cure deafness
A Tel Aviv University study identifies the first group of long non-coding RNAs in the auditory system, which may help devise strategies for curing deafness. The researchers found that these RNA molecules play a crucial role in regulating genes involved in deafness.
Older Neandertal survived with a little help from his friends
Despite multiple injuries and deafness, Shanidar 1 lived into his 40s with the help of others. His sensory impairment made him vulnerable to predators, emphasizing the importance of social support for survival as a hunter-gatherer in the Pleistocene.
Study raises expectations for improved language skills in the deaf and hard-of-hearing
New research reveals up to 40% of children with hearing loss have capacity for higher language levels, challenging current assessment methods. Therapists can recognize mismatches at young ages and intervene to bring children up to their ability.
Usher syndrome: Gene therapy restores hearing and balance
Researchers at Institut Pasteur successfully restored hearing and balance in a mouse model of USH1G syndrome using gene therapy, offering new hope for the treatment of hereditary deafness. The study demonstrates that inner ear defects caused by mutations in the USH1G gene can be reversed even after birth with durable efficacy.
New assay leads to step toward gene therapy for deaf patients
Scientists at Oregon State University developed a new assay to study the otoferlin protein, essential for hearing. They found a truncated version of otoferlin that can function in sound encoding and validated a method for characterizing large membrane proteins.
Hearing restoration and visual cues
A study found that visually stimulated cross-modal activation of auditory brain regions in deaf individuals improved speech comprehension after cochlear implantation. Auditory cortex activation developed in tandem with both auditory and visual speech following implantation, suggesting a positive effect on hearing restoration.
RIT receives $1 million for scientists-in-training program for deaf, hard-of-hearing undergrads
The Rochester Institute of Technology has been awarded a grant to develop a Scientists-In-Training Program for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Undergraduates. The program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students entering Ph.D. programs in biomedical sciences.
New research identifies key mechanism behind some deafness
Researchers have identified a crucial protein, CIB2, essential for sound wave conversion into brain signals in the inner ear. The study reveals how this protein facilitates mechanotransduction, enabling people to interpret sounds.
The deaf-blind can now 'watch' television without intermediaries
The PervasiveSUB project allows deaf-blind people to access TV broadcasts in real-time, directly through Braille lines. This innovation has been successfully tested with groups of deaf-blind users in Spain and the US, who praised its ability to transmit information without intermediaries.
When writing interferes with hearing
Researchers found that certain 'super-readers' with reorganized brain circuits perform better in tasks involving written words, while others with intact auditory-visual integration achieve more accurate results. This study highlights the crucial role of brain interactions in cochlear implant success.
RIT selected to receive National Science Foundation I-Corps grant
RIT National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) will partner with RIT's I-Corps site initiative to promote inclusive entrepreneurship among deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The grant will support programs and events that engage underrepresented groups in STEM entrepreneurship.
RIT/NTID awarded $443,000 National Science Foundation grant for educational training
The National Science Foundation grant will provide additional training for faculty to adapt teaching methodologies and create an 'accessibility toolkit' for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The project aims to enhance inclusiveness in the classroom through student-centered pedagogy, universal design for teaching and learning.
RIT/Xamarin collaboration to provide opportunities for deaf, hard-of-hearing students
The RIT/NTID information and computing studies department has launched a new associate degree program in mobile application development with funding from the National Science Foundation. The program is based on the Xamarin cross-platform approach to mobile app development.
NIH grant provides postdoctoral research, teaching experience for deaf students
A $4 million NIH grant will enhance partnerships between RIT/NTID and UR, providing postdoctoral research and teaching experiences for deaf students. The Rochester Postdoc Partnership (RPP) aims to increase diversity in biomedical sciences by creating mentored teaching opportunities.
The architecture of audition
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that the auditory cortex of profoundly deaf and hearing people has virtually identical neural architecture. The research raises questions about the role of experience in processing sensory information and could lead to potential new avenues for intervention in deafness.
RIT/NTID receives Motorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation Grant
Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf has received a $30,000 grant to fund its Tech Girlz and Tech Boyz outreach programs. The program provides opportunities for deaf middle-school students to explore technology and build robots.
Researchers study how cochlear implants affect brain circuits
A study is underway to understand why some children respond better to cochlear implants than others. Researchers are using measures of brain function to identify clinical interventions that could help children adapt to using the implants. The study involves recruiting children from 18 months to 8 years old who use cochlear implants, as...
On Canada Day, celebrate 'lost stories' from coast to coast to coast
A Concordia professor has received funding to unearth lesser-known Canadian tales in time for Canada Day 2017. The Lost Stories project collects and documents stories about neglected Canadians, creating public art and short films to share their histories.
NIH study adapts Health Information National Trends Survey into ASL
A new NIH study explores how deaf adults, proficient in ASL, use the internet for health-related information. The HINTS-ASL program collects data on trends in health communication and perception among this population. The research aims to improve the dissemination of health information to the deaf community.
NIH study seeks to improve quality-of-life measure for deaf and hard-of-hearing people
A $1.6 million NIH-funded study aims to enhance disability and outcomes research for the deaf and hard-of-hearing population. Researchers developed a new PROMIS profile in American Sign Language to gather data from a nationwide sample of 650 participants.
RIT/NTID researchers receive $450,000 grant for longitudinal study of vision in deaf children
A longitudinal study of 150 deaf children will assess the impact of early language exposure on their visual attention and processing abilities. The research team hopes to determine whether early exposure to American Sign Language (ASL) enhances sequence processing in deaf students.
Can nutritional supplements impact genetic hearing loss in children?
A study found that an antioxidant regimen of beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and magnesium helped slow progression of hereditary deafness in mice with a connexin 26 gene deletion. In contrast, the same regimen had no effect on another mutant mouse modeling AUNA1, a rare type of hearing loss.
RIT's Todd Pagano named outstanding undergraduate science educator
Todd Pagano, RIT's founding director of the Laboratory Science Technology program, has been named an outstanding undergraduate science educator. His American Chemical Society-approved program prepares deaf and hard-of-hearing students for careers in chemistry, with a success rate exceeding that of hearing peers.
University of Michigan, RIT receive $3 million to improve health-care info for people who are deaf
A $3 million grant will assess key differences in attitudes, knowledge and skills related to health information between deaf and hearing individuals. The project aims to understand mechanisms of visual learning as it relates to health information accessibility.
Study of cognitive development in deaf children revisits longstanding debate
Researchers at UConn investigate whether early exposure to sign language can forestall cognitive issues in deaf children, challenging a longstanding debate. The study finds that congenitally deaf children who learn sign language from birth develop language, cognition, and literacy on normal timetables.
Wbp2 is a novel gene implicated in deafness
Researchers discovered a direct link between Wbp2 and progressive high-frequency hearing loss in mouse models and human clinical cases. The study found that Wbp2 expression loss leads to reduced hormone receptor expression and hearing impairment.
RIT researchers study safety of electronic cigarette flavorings
Researchers at RIT's NTID and University of Rochester Medical Center are analyzing the effects of e-cig flavorings using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The study will help determine potential toxicants and inform the FDA on long-term adverse effects, addressing a lack of knowledge about e-cig safety.
Why focusing on a visual task will make us deaf to our surroundings
A new UCL study found that concentrating attention on a visual task significantly reduces brain response to sound and increases failures to detect audible sounds. This phenomenon, known as inattentional deafness, has serious implications for everyday life and tasks requiring focus, such as operating theatres or driving.
Genetic modification shows promise for preventing hereditary hearing loss
Researchers used genetically-modified mice to study hereditary deafness caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Reducing enzyme activity in mice showed promise for preventing or delaying deafness, according to new research.
Gene therapy restores hearing in deaf mice
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School used gene therapy to restore hearing in mice with genetic deafness. The treatment successfully restored the ability of sensory hair cells to respond to sound and partially restored actual hearing in deaf mice.
How does the brain respond to hearing loss?
Researchers found that brain areas normally dedicated to hearing can adapt to early-stage hearing loss, affecting cognitive decline and speech perception. The study suggests that this compensatory adaptation may lead to decreased brain resources for processing sound.
Osteoporosis diagnosis contributes to hearing loss risk
A study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people with osteoporosis are at a 1.76-fold higher risk of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Researchers analyzed medical records of over 10,600 individuals with osteoporosis and found that they were more likely to be diag...
NIH awards $2.4 million for research into mechanisms of auditory information processing
The NIH has awarded a $2.4 million grant to investigate how synaptic vesicle activity modulates auditory information transfer and impacts sound perception. Dr. Samuel Young's lab aims to uncover new cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in early stages of hearing.
Can't sing? Do it more often
New research from Northwestern University suggests that singing accurately is a learned skill that can decline over time if not used. Regular practice can help improve singing skills and prevent the 'use it or lose it' effect, where adults may struggle to sing on key as they age.
Poor access to primary care results in poorer health for deaf people
A study found Deaf adults have high risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, with many undiagnosed or untreated conditions. Poor communication and lack of interpreters exacerbate the issue, leading to missed diagnoses and ineffective treatment.
Diagnosing deafness early will help teenagers' reading development
Research from the University of Southampton shows that identifying deafness early can significantly improve teenagers' reading development. The study found that children who were screened for hearing impairment at birth had better language skills and reading abilities than those not screened.
Scientists restore hearing in noise-deafened mice, pointing way to new therapies
Researchers have restored hearing in mice with partial deafening caused by noise exposure using advanced tools to increase NT3 protein production. The study demonstrates the critical role of NT3 in maintaining communication between the ears and brain, offering a potential target for future treatments.
Lack of thyroid hormone blocks hearing development
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that a genetic form of deafness is caused by the absence of thyroid hormone during development. The study found structural and molecular defects consistent with hypothyroidism or disrupted thyroid hormone action in affected mice.
Canada funds 22 inventive ideas for better health in developing nations
Grand Challenges Canada awards $2.4 million to 22 projects addressing major health burdens in low-resource countries, including tuberculosis, deafness, and mental health problems. Innovations include a personal eyepiece for deaf children and sterile drill covers for low-cost orthopaedic trauma surgery.
Hearing protein required to convert sound into brain signals
A specific protein, protocadherin-15 CD2, is crucial for hearing by forming tip-links that convert sound into electrical signals. The absence of this protein leads to profound deafness in mice and humans, providing a major breakthrough in understanding the auditory mechanotransduction machinery.
Google Glass adaptation opens the universe to deaf students
Deaf students can now fully participate in planetarium shows and enjoy literacy tools like a virtual dictionary that provides video definitions. The innovative technology is also being explored as a tool for assisting deaf clients in medical settings.
Program taught in American Sign Language helps deaf achieve healthier weight
A 16-week healthy lifestyle program taught in American Sign Language resulted in moderate improvements in weight and physical activity among deaf adults. The study, led by Dr. Steven Barnett, found that 58.3% of participants lost at least 5% of their baseline weight.
Researchers regenerate sound-sensing cells in the ears of mice with hearing damage
New research reveals that supporting cells in the ear can turn into hair cells in newborn mice, leading to potential cell replacement strategies for adults and new treatment approaches for deafness. The study found that blocking the Notch signaling pathway increases the formation of new hair cells from nearby Lgr5-expressing cells.
Starting from scratch: RIT program teaches first-year students how to learn
RIT's Project IMPRESS aims to teach students self-reflection and self-assessment skills to improve success rates. The program uses a three-pronged approach, including a summer experience and learning assistant role.
Study identifies molecular process behind form of non-syndromic deafness
A new study identified an underlying molecular process causing DFNB49 non-syndromic hearing loss, which may also affect other organs. Researchers found that a mutation in the TRIC gene disrupts tricellulin production, leading to structural changes and potential cellular damage.
Cellular channels vital for hearing identified
Two proteins, TMC1 and TMC2, critical for hearing were identified by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital. The study found that these proteins form channels converting sound waves into electrical signals for the brain.
Research leads to successful restoration of hearing and balance
Researchers at Kansas State University have successfully restored hearing and balance in mice with a genetic mutation that causes hereditary deafness. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, uses a targeted approach to rescue hearing and balance by restoring pendrin expression in the endolymphatic sac. This finding has significant impli...
Goal of identifying nearly all genetic causes of deafness is within reach
At least half of birth-related deafness and many progressive hearing losses have a genetic basis. New sequencing technologies identify 1,000 mutations linked to hearing loss in 64 human genes. This knowledge will lead to practical treatments and effective genetic counseling.
Mice show innate ability to vocalize
Researchers found that mice do not need to learn to vocalize and can produce the same suite of ultrasonic sounds regardless of whether they are deaf or hearing. This discovery points the way to a genetic tool for studying speech and its disorders, shifting focus from learning to genetic mechanisms.
Need for culturally sensitive treatment for deaf patients with psychiatric disorders
Deaf individuals need culturally sensitive treatment to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment due to communication challenges. Clinicians should seek specific training and education to become culturally competent providers, especially those working with Deaf patients.
Are deaf and hard-of-hearing physicians getting the support they need?
A recent study found that deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHoH) physicians spend significant personal time arranging for accommodations, highlighting the need for institutional support. The survey of 56 DHoH clinicians revealed that adapting accommodations to individual needs is key to success.
Researchers develop Rx for deafness, impaired balance in mouse model of Usher syndrome
A new therapy called an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) has been developed by researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center, which partially corrects gene and protein expression and rescues hearing and balance in a mouse model of Usher syndrome. This breakthrough suggests the potential for treating deafness and balance disorders.
Scientists prevent development of deafness in animals engineered to have Usher syndrome
Researchers have developed a novel therapeutic approach to treat deafness and balance impairment by injecting mice with an antisense oligonucleotide that targets a specific gene mutation. The treatment, which was tested on mice engineered to model human Usher syndrome, successfully rescues hearing and cures balance problems.
Discovering the missing 'LINC' to deafness
A team of researchers has discovered a significant mutation in a LINC family protein that could lead to new treatments for hearing disorders. The mutation causes chaos in the cell's anatomy, leading to devastating effects on cells responsible for hearing.
Sensory hair cells regenerated, hearing restored in mammal ear
Scientists have successfully regenerated sensory hair cells in an adult mammalian ear using a drug, resulting in partial recovery of hearing in mice. The breakthrough holds promise for future therapeutic applications to reverse deafness in humans.
Crowdsourcing site compiles new sign language for math and science
A crowdsourcing site has compiled a new lexicon of signs for scientific and technical terms in American Sign Language (ASL). The ASL-STEM Forum, launched by the University of Washington, allows members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to build their own guide to the evolving lexicon of science.
Scientists identify molecules in the ear that convert sound into brain signals
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discover TMHS protein, a key component of mechanotransduction channels in the ear. The finding suggests a promising new approach to gene therapy for certain types of deafness, as it restores sound perception in newborn deaf mice.
Researchers discover gene that causes deafness
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have identified a genetic mutation responsible for deafness and hearing loss associated with Usher syndrome type 1. The discovery of the CIB2 protein provides new insights into the mechanism of mechano-electrical transduction, which converts mechanical energy into sound.