Noise-induced hearing loss

Five Strategies to Protect and Preserve Hearing

By Monique Hammond / January 22, 2024 / Comments Off on Five Strategies to Protect and Preserve Hearing

Hearing connects us to our social and professional worlds. It allows us to enjoy the sounds of speech, nature, and music. Unfortunately, people all too often fail to appreciate this precious sense. They rarely feel motivated to protect and preserve their hearing. They take it for granted until it fades away and they experience the…

Read More

Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps Help Protect Hearing

By Monique Hammond / November 29, 2023 / Comments Off on Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps Help Protect Hearing

Ever since I got a sound level meter app for my Android phone, I am a lot more confident with decisions regarding sound exposures for my already damaged ears. A click of the button lets me know at once whether I am headed into an overly loud, ear-unfriendly place. And I want to avoid more…

Read More

Parents Beware: Noisy Toys Can Damage Children’s Hearing

By Monique Hammond / October 14, 2022 / Comments Off on Parents Beware: Noisy Toys Can Damage Children’s Hearing

Toy safety is not all about swallowing, choking or inhaling dangers. It is also about over-the-top sound levels that can damage children’s hearing. Yet, good hearing is important for learning and for developing speech, language and social skills. Even a very mild loss can make a huge difference for a child’s future.  Unfortunately, many kids…

Read More
Ebselen as a ray of hope

Ebselen: A Ray of Hope for the World of Hearing Loss?

By Monique Hammond / July 6, 2021 / Comments Off on Ebselen: 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 More
Noise induced hearing loss

Noise-induced Hearing Loss and Sound Danger Zones

By Monique Hammond / May 27, 2020 / Comments Off on Noise-induced Hearing Loss and Sound Danger Zones

By now, it is well known that repeated and prolonged exposures to excessively loud sound damage and age ears and hearing permanently and prematurely. This is called Noise-induced Hearing Loss. The damage is cumulative but it is preventable.  So, how loud is it? Many people are willing and eager to protect themselves from sound damage but they do…

Read More
A singer

Why Noise-induced Hearing Loss Should be a Public Health Issue

By Monique Hammond / February 20, 2020 / Comments Off on Why Noise-induced Hearing Loss Should be a Public Health Issue

Permanent but preventable  Excessively loud sound prematurely ages the ears. It leads to Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), which is the second leading cause of hearing loss worldwide, right after aging. It is a major reason why younger and younger people are joining the ranks of those with hearing and communication challenges. The sad part is…

Read More