Posts by Monique Hammond
Lazy Ear in Children
A sound processing disorder The technical term for “Lazy Ear” is ambly-audia, which means dulled or blunted hearing. Although the condition can be genetic, it is often acquired during the phases of hearing development and maturation in infancy and throughout the childhood years. Lazy Ear or amblyaudia is lopsided, asymmetrical hearing, which results from sound processing challenges…
Read MoreCytomegalovirus (CMV) and Newborn Deafness and Hearing Loss
The dangers of congenital CMV during pregnancy Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common, non-genetic cause for hearing loss or deafness in newborn babies. If the virus that infects the mother during pregnancy is passed on to the child, he/she will be born with congenital (present at birth) CMV infection. Yet, some 91% of women do not know…
Read MoreEbselen: A Ray of Hope for the World of Hearing Loss?
Phase 3 drug trial – a cause for optimism? Every time that I read about a new drug going into clinical trials for the treatment of tinnitus or hearing loss, I tend to do a contained, internal Happy Dance. Recently, I read that the FDA has allowed Sound Pharmaceuticals to proceed with a Phase 3 (human) trial…
Read MoreHope for Connexin 26 Hearing Loss Gene Therapy?
How come that babies can be born deaf to hearing parents? Congenital hearing loss and Connexin 26 The expression “congenital” means that hearing loss or deafness is present at birth. The reasons of why this happens are often murky. Did something happen during pregnancy? Was the baby exposed to toxic chemicals, drugs or viral…
Read MoreIt’s May, the Time to Take Action on Hearing and Speech Issues
During the month of May, people are called upon to raise awareness on many diverse topics. It is also my birth month. But I never ever thought that May would become important to me as “Better Hearing and Speech” Month. Connections through Communication Every year since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) dedicates the month…
Read MoreHidden, Silent Disability Travel Woes
Yes, hearing loss is often called a “a hidden or a silent disability.” Invisible to outsiders, it causes all sorts of challenges for daily life but when it comes to travel, it can lead to anxiety and panic situations. Hearing loss has certainly put a serious crimp into my own travel experiences. It all starts…
Read MoreSudden Hearing Loss is a Medical Emergency
Fast, noticeable losses For me, a sudden left-sided deafness became a scary and life-altering event. The longer name for this condition is Sudden SensoriNeural Hearing Loss (SSNHL). “Sensori” refers to damage to the inner-ear cochlear hearing cells and “neural” refers to damage to the hearing nerve. Although both ears may be involved, in most cases…
Read MoreConductive Hearing Loss: Causes and Treatments
Bone-anchored hearing system (picture: en.wikipedia.org) There are three main types of hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss – the most wide-spread; conductive hearing loss – often underrated and neglected; mixed hearing loss – a combination of sensorineural and conductive. Do you know your type? Conductive hearing loss due to obstructed sound flow For normal hearing, sound…
Read MoreSilent Vestibular Migraine
How can a migraine be silent? That is a good question without a clear answer. However, there are those who have suffered from migraine episodes for years without knowing it. Why? Because not all migraines lead to pulsating and debilitating headaches. They are said to be “silent.” Yet, people may have periods of head discomfort…
Read MoreHearing Loss Outed by COVID-19
No place to hide Yes, hearing loss became truly a family affair during COVID isolation and quarantine. There was no way to hide 24/7 when conversations became labored for those with hearing loss. Family members grew weary in a hurry of having to confront the communication struggles every single day. One lady shared that she…
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