Hearing Protection Is a Sound Investment
Sharing Key Benefits of Hearing Loss Prevention
Quick News about Hearing and Health
- Cochlear Implants (CIs) without external parts? Although still investigational, the first Acclaim® developed by Envoy Medical® was implanted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn. (Posted on this site: 12/8/2022) Read more: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2022/first-patient-surgery-acclaim-cochlear-implant/
- Hearing aid prices continue to be an issue. AARP and Unitedhealthcare team up on discount prices. (Posted on this site: 12/8/2022 ) Read more: https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/unitedhealthcare-teams-aarp-tackle-hearing-aid-costs
- In November 2022, it was announced that Costco will no longer sell Phonak hearing aids. (Posted on this site: 12/8/2022) https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2022/costco-stops-selling-phonak-hearing-aids/
- Although testing earplugs is not an exact science, it is worth checking some reviews ,such as this one for Live Music events. (Posted on this site: 12/8/2022) https://www.hearingtracker.com/earplugs
- The FDA has approved a medication meant to help prevent hearing loss due to platinum-based chemotherapy in children aged one month and older whose solid tumors have not spread. This is a seriously encouraging development. Hearing loss caused by these agents could only be treated with hearing aids and cochlear implants. Preventing such loss would certainly be a huge step in the right direction. Read more about it : https://www.curetoday.com/view/fda-approves-pedmark-to-prevent-chemotherapy-induced-hearing-loss-in-children (Posted: 9/23/2022)
- To the disappointment of those suffering from Tinnitus, the biopharmaceutical company OTONOMY has abandoned further efforts at developing and testing OTO-313, which was meant to help treat this all-too-often distressing condition. (Posted: 08/01/2022) https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2022/phase-2-tinnitus-otonomy-discontinue-oto313/
- Speech-to-Text transcription apps allow those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing follow conversations or presentations in ways that until recently were not possible. A lot of progress has been made in the accuracy of speech recognition. However, challenges such as speech impediments or heavy accents make the speech recognition task a lot more difficult. Google's Relate app was created for the purpose of breaking such communication barriers. Check it out. (Posted 7/18/2022) https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/accessibility/project-relate/
- Businesses and organizations with functioning hearing loops can now edit their Google Maps Accessibility information by including the Assistive Hearing Loop attribute. Let customers with hearing loss know that they too are valued and recognized. (posted 7/2/2022) How to add/edit: https://support.google.com/business/answer/9049526?p=attributes&visit_id=637433207871384047-989832324&rd=1
OTC hearing devices:
- In early 2022, ahead of FDA OTC hearing aid regulations, GN gained authorization for the release of its self-fitting Jabra Enhance™ Plus ear buds. (posted 7/2/2022):
- In May 2021, Bose was the first company to receive FDA clearance for its SoundControl™ OTC hearing aids. Although, still available for sale, the company announced about a year after the launch that it is getting out of the hearing aid business. (posted 7/2/2022)
https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2022/bose-exits-hearing-aid-market/
- Noise cancellation headphones for kids. You might check the updated February 2022 list from Headphonesty who state on their website “ Our fair and balanced reviews will help you make better-informed purchase decisions.”
https://www.headphonesty.com/2020/10/best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-kids/
- One of the most frequently asked questions is where and how to get better prices on hearing aids. The AARP has a listing of ideas. Check out this link:
https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/saving-on-hearing-aids
• Frustrated by Tinnitus and the seemingly lack of research? Actually, a lot is going on both nationally and internationally. Check out the American Tinnitus Association
and the British Tinnitus Association for news and support.
• Can COVID affect hearing and balance?
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/sars-cov-2-infection-inner-ear
• New technology for “seeing” into the middle ear? PhotoniCare announces easier and more accurate diagnosing of middle ear infections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUmAT4TMZcU
NOTE: News item posts on this page are for information only. They are NOT endorsements of products, hearing clinics, sites, manufacturers or opinions. Interested in the topic? Learn more! Google it! Ask your doctor and/or hearing specialist.
Information About Hearing Loss
Monique Hammond, registered pharmacist, public speaker, hearing loss consultant, and author provides information and discusses issues to help those with hearing loss. The blog is located on the "Blog-Hearing Loss" page on this site.
Improve safety and prevent hearing damage at your organization for your employees.
A loud noise exposure contributed to my hearing loss, which eventually cost me my job. I speak from personal experience. People are introduced to how we hear and where, how, and why loud sound damages hearing—both on and off the job. In the interest of safety for self and for the team, other safety concerns related to excessively loud sound are also discussed. People also learn to appreciate how hearing loss affects the quality of life in general. There is indeed a lot of motivation to protect ears and hearing.
To inquire about safety meeting presentations for employees or train the trainer Sessions for Safety Professionals, Supervisors, or Safety Committee members, please see pages on this site or email
[email protected].
Monique Hammond is a registered pharmacist. A loud sound exposure at a Church fundraiser contributed to sudden one-sided deafness that eventually ended her hospital pharmacy career. In her book, "What Did You Say?," she shares her story and all of the details on ears and hearing loss that she had to learn the hard way. Her intent is to empower people through education so that they become their own best advocates. The Second Edition – An updated version of the first edition was published in 2016 after the first edition sold out. To purchase a book in softcover or Kindle, see the Book page on this site.