• The FDA has approved a medication that is 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/ 

• Cochlear Implants (CIs) without external parts? A clinical trial for the first fully implanted cochlear implant has been approved by the FDA.  Developed by Envoy Medical®, the Acclaim® trial will be done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. (posted 7/3/2022) https://hearinghealthmatters.org/blog/2022/fda-approves-clinical-trial-of-first-fully-implanted-cochlear-implant/                                                                                                                
• 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):

https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2022/jabra-enhance-plus-self-fit-hearing-aids-fda-clearance/

• 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.