Articles tagged with Deafness
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.
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.
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 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.
Bilingual infants demonstrated an ability to discriminate between two unfamiliar languages using visual cues, suggesting that early exposure to multiple languages improves perceptual sensitivity. Skilled deaf readers showed enhanced perceptual span in reading, contrary to previous hypotheses that suggested this might hinder reading abi...
This review paper reveals the achievements of deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists who communicated their discoveries in entomology, including Charles Bonnet and Charles Darwin. The authors highlight the struggles and triumphs of these pioneers in light of their isolation from the Deaf community.
Researchers found that bilateral cochlear implants restored binaural processing in deaf children who received the implants at a young age, but not those who delayed their second implant. The study suggests that early auditory experience is critical for binaural processing.
A new gene therapy approach successfully treats genetic hearing loss in mice by delivering the VGLUT3 gene to inner ear cells. This breakthrough offers a promising potential treatment for individuals born deaf, with improved hearing lasting up to 1.5 years in adult mice.
Research funded by NIH shows that deaf people use auditory cortex for touch processing and visual stimuli more than hearing people. The finding suggests that the brain adapts and takes on additional sensory tasks in response to early loss of a sense, such as hearing.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine developed a mouse model that mimics the N48K mutation in Usher III, leading to understanding of how deafness occurs. This new model enables exploration of prospective therapeutics to rescue mutant protein localization and hearing.
Researchers at Georgia State University's College of Education have been awarded a $10 million grant to create the first national research center focused on improving reading for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The goal is to identify child and instructional factors that affect reading growth and develop individualized interv...
Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified a cellular mechanism underlying tinnitus development after exposure to loud noises. The study suggests that specific potassium channels contribute to nerve cell over-activity, leading to constant noise sensation.
Christine Petit and Karen Steel recognized for groundbreaking work on genetic regulation of ear development and functioning, shedding light on inherited forms of deafness. Their research has significant impact on medical practice, including diagnosis, genetic counselling, and therapeutic decisions.
Researchers at RIT are developing experiential learning modules to address barriers faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing students in STEM fields. The three-year project aims to enhance problem-solving skills, teamwork, and process improvement through immersive hands-on activities.
Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that deaf children who express ideas in gestures different from ASL signs are ready to learn math. The team found that students with more gestural mismatches before a lesson were more likely to improve after it.
Deaf individuals experience higher rates of mental health disorders due to communication barriers and lack of specialized services. Specialist training and sign language interpreters are crucial for improving access to mental health care for this population.
Christine Petit and Karen Steel's pioneering research on the genetics of hearing and deafness has shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying ear development and function. Their work has led to significant advances in diagnosis, genetic counseling, and therapeutic decisions for patients with inherited forms of deafness.
Researchers found that deafening causes rapid changes to motor areas in songbirds' brains, predicting which birds will have worse songs. This study may provide insights into how hearing loss affects the human brain's vocalization control.
Researchers discovered that mitochondrial DNA mutations cause programmed cell death in the inner ear, leading to inherited deafness. The study found that reactive oxygen molecules produced by diseased mitochondria trigger a cell death-inducing gene expression program.
At TEI 2012 conference, Nicholas Graham's Liberi Live game allows two players to collaborate on game design, enhancing creativity. The Queen's Human Media Lab also showcases innovative technologies, including flexible TV screens and wearable sensors.
New research shows deaf people are quicker at recognizing and interpreting body language than hearing non-signers. This ability may be due to the daily use of sign language, which enhances their visual system's processing capabilities.
The FGF20 gene is required for proper development of the mouse inner ear, and its inactivation leads to a loss of outer hair cells. Researchers found that FGF20 signaling must occur on or before day 14 of embryonic development to produce a normal inner ear.
Researchers have identified a crucial role for FGF20 in the development of the mouse inner ear, revealing a potential target for regenerating outer hair cells and treating human deafness.
A new study by OHSU researcher Peter Steyger sheds light on why certain antibiotics harm the inner ear, providing hope for a potential solution to block their effects and save thousands of lives. The discovery is the result of Steyger's personal experience with antibiotic-induced deafness as a child.
Researchers have identified two key proteins, TMC1 and TMC2, that are crucial for the inner ear's transduction channel. The study suggests that TMC1 is essential for hearing, while TMC2 is not, but can substitute for it in the vestibular system.
Researchers have identified long-sought genes in sensory hair cells of the inner ear that are essential for converting sound waves into electrical signals. By introducing these genes into deaf mice, scientists were able to restore electrical signals and potentially reverse a type of deafness, paving the way for a gene therapy trial.
Researchers identified six critical mutations in Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab families using exome sequencing, revealing new insights into hereditary deafness. The study also found a specific TMC1 mutation associated with hearing loss in the Moroccan Jewish population.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified a new function for the harmonin protein, which is mutated in Usher syndrome. The protein plays a critical role in transmitting sound information to the brain.
A two-year project aims to improve music appreciation in cochlear implant users through innovative music workshops and a computer tool kit of listening exercises. Researchers will develop materials and compositions specifically designed for cochlear implant users, aiming to boost self-confidence and enjoyment.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that deaf people's retinas develop differently to capture more peripheral visual information, enabling them to see further into the periphery. This challenge previous thinking on how visual processing works and has implications for improving visual care for deaf people.
Researchers at UCL discovered 'inattentional deafness' when participants focused on tasks requiring high concentration. In experiments, only 2 out of 10 participants missed the tone when judging colors, but 8 out of 10 failed to notice it during length-discrimination tasks.
A large clinical trial has shown that direct injection of steroids into the middle ear is equally effective as oral steroids in restoring hearing levels in patients with sudden deafness. The study results, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, have implications for treatment options and cost-effectiveness.
A study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University finds that deaf animals' brains reorganize sensory inputs to preserve their behavioral functions. The research provides insight into brain reorganization following sensory loss, potentially informing the development of more effective rehabilitative medicine for deaf patients.
Scientists have identified a mutation on the CACNA1D gene that affects two families in Pakistan, leading to deafness and an irregular heartbeat. The mutated protein still sits in the cell's surface membrane but fails to open the calcium channel.
A new study reveals that deaf people in Nicaragua who developed their own 'homesigns' language lack a complete understanding of numbers greater than three. The research suggests that language plays a vital role in learning mathematical concepts, including the value of large numbers.
Researchers found that deaf people in Nicaragua who used self-developed gestures, called homesigns, had difficulty understanding the value of large numbers. In contrast, those who acquired conventional sign language as children were able to learn the meaning of large numbers.
Researchers identified miR-96 as a key regulator of auditory sensory hair cell development. The study revealed that mutations in this microRNA prevent the normal progression of hair cell development, leading to deafness. This breakthrough discovery opens new avenues for developing treatments for progressive hearing loss and deafness.
A new study reveals that deaf and hard-of-hearing children are more likely to experience abuse and neglect, with higher rates of depression and post-traumatic stress in adulthood. The research found that having a deaf parent or family member did not reduce the risk of childhood maltreatment.
Researchers developed a comprehensive genetic test that can screen all 54 known deafness-causing genes in one run, costing $2,000. The new OtoSCOPE test offers quicker answers for families anxious to determine treatment options or learn the likelihood of future children having hearing loss.
Research by University of Sheffield finds that deaf adults can react more quickly to objects at the edge of their visual field than hearing people. Children born deaf initially have slower reaction times, but improve as they age and develop better-than-normal peripheral vision by adulthood.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario discovered a causal link between enhanced visual abilities and reorganization of brain areas in congenitally deaf cats. Visual localization and motion detection are the two specific abilities that are enhanced in deaf individuals.
A new device can transmit American Sign Language over US cellular networks, allowing for fast and reliable communication. The tool has been tested by deaf and hard-of-hearing students, who found it to be a game-changer for their daily lives.
The new tactile learning book 'Touch the Earth' will be presented by NASA at the Earth Day Celebration on the National Mall. The book teaches middle school students about Earth's biomes using multimedia approaches, including sound, visual aids, and Braille. It aims to improve accessibility in science education.
Scientists found that a vital region of cadherin-23, a protein in the inner ear, is critical to both hearing and inherited deafness. The research revealed that calcium ions play a crucial role in holding the protein together, and mutations that weaken this bond can cause deafness.
Researchers are developing new assessment tools in British Sign Language (BSL) to identify dementia among Deaf people, who often face unique challenges in accessing care and support. The study aims to improve early diagnosis and provide tailored services for this underserved population.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers found that deaf children's word-learning skills are strongly affected by their early auditory experience, whether through normal means or with a cochlear implant. Children who received the implant at a young age performed similarly to their normal-hearing counterparts.
Bone-anchored hearing aids significantly improved scores on both hearing tests and questionnaires for children with single-sided deafness. The complication rate was 17%, but the treatment has been shown to be beneficial in counseling children and their families regarding treatment options.
Researchers have created mice with a mutation that mimics hereditary deafness, shedding light on progressive hearing loss in children. The study provides new insights into the effects of soundwave processing and potential damage caused by inner ear compensation.
A recent study challenges the claim that caffeine aggravates tinnitus, finding no significant improvement in symptoms from caffeine abstinence. Instead, participants experienced increased symptoms during acute withdrawal phases.
An international team of researchers has identified a gene associated with DFN2, a rare form of progressive deafness that primarily affects males. The discovery offers therapeutic implications and may lead to treatments for other types of deafness.
A mathematical model explains how male mosquitoes can hear the faintest beats of a female's wings while resisting loud noises. The model reveals that scolopidia located toward the tip of Johnston's organ contribute to mechanical amplification.
A University of East Anglia study reveals that computers are now better at lip-reading than humans, with an 80% recognition rate compared to 32% for human viewers. The research suggests a new video-based training system can improve lip-reading skills with limited training.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a genetic cause of progressive hearing loss, linking it to the Loxhd1 gene. The study found that mutations in Loxhd1 lead to degradation of hair cells and disruption of hearing processes.
Researchers identified a new protein that protects sensory cells in the ear, crucial for maintaining potassium balance and preventing intoxication. The study found mutations in the claudin-9 gene lead to functional defective sensory cells, highlighting the importance of this protein in hearing.
A new protein has been identified as crucial for protecting sensory cells in the ear, according to a study led by University of Iowa researchers. The protein, claudin-9, helps maintain the separation of potassium ions between cells, preventing intoxication and functional defects.
Scientists at Stanford University have identified a gene variant that may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. The study found that cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes produce two forms of the Deaf1 gene, one functional and one nonfunctional. Increased levels of the nonfunctional variant were found in people with type 1 d...
The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry has received a grant to study the role of brain tumors in deafness and develop non-invasive therapies. The research aims to identify how tumors grow and cause hearing damage, and test drug-based treatments.
Researchers at Scripps Institute have identified a molecular defect involved in hearing loss, which sheds new light on the workings of mechanotransduction. This finding may lead to better understanding of similar processes and defects that cause disease.
A team of researchers identified two critical microRNAs that lead to abnormal ear development and progressive hearing loss when removed. The study also found potential for using these molecules as a regenerative tool to treat deafness and balance disorders.
A new study by Prof. Karen Avraham at Tel Aviv University has discovered that microRNAs are involved in the development of deafness, opening up new avenues for treatment and potential cure. The researchers found that microRNAs help regulate cell functions in the ear, and their loss can lead to progressive hearing loss.