hearing

New protein identified that protects hearing

harminka — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:27:31 -0500

Discovery of a deafness-causing gene defect in mice has helped identify a new protein that protects sensory cells in the ear, according to a study by University of Iowa and Kansas State University researchers. The findings appear in the August 21 issue of the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Bats pick up rustling sounds against highway background noise

harminka — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:24:21 -0500

Listening for faint rustling noises made by tasty beetles on a quiet day is simple for bats hunting with their exquisitely sensitive hearing. So try imagining what it must be like trying to locate rustling treats just metres from a roaring highway.

Biophysical method may help to recover hearing

harminka — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:01:52 -0500

Scientists based in Switzerland and South Africa have created a biophysical methodology that may help to overcome hearing deficits, and potentially remedy even substantial hearing loss. The authors propose a method of retuning functioning regions of the ear to recognize frequencies originally associated with damaged areas.

New hearing aid technology passes restaurant noise test

harminka — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:47:38 -0500

The sound of a noisy Chicago restaurant during the breakfast rush — the clang of plates and silverware and the clamor of many voices — was the crucial test of new hearing aid technology in a study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Zebrafish may help solve ringing in vets' ears

harminka — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:09:29 -0500

Ernest Moore, an audiologist and cell biologist at Northwestern University, developed tinnitus -- a chronic ringing and whooshing sound in his ears -- twenty years ago after serving in the U.S. Army reserves medical corps. His hearing was damaged by the crack of too many M16 rifles and artillery explosions. He suspects his hearing also suffered from hunting opossum with rifles as a kid on his grandmother's farm in Tennessee.

Hearing health underscores importance of better hearing, speech month

harminka — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:24:24 -0500

Three studies published in the May 2008 edition of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery reveal substantial new findings in several areas of hearing health, including research that indicates that patients with profound hearing loss benefit substantially from having cochlear implants placed in both ears, rather than one, as is the common practice.

Study links low-frequency hearing to shape of cochlea

harminka — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:42:47 -0500

Specifically, it is the shape of the cochlea – the snail-shell-shaped organ in the inner ear that converts sound waves into nerve impulses that the brain deciphers – which proves to be surprisingly important.

New system improves hearing in patients who carry cochlear implant

harminka — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:32:22 -0600

The doctoral thesis of Isaac Manuel Álvarez Ruiz has been developed in the Departments of Signal Theory, Telematics, and Communication, and Surgery and its Specialties of the University of Granada, and directed by Professors Ángel de la Torre Vega and Manuel Sainz Quevedo.

More than meets ear in successful cocktail party conversations

harminka — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:58:16 -0600

Just picture the scene: you’re at a cocktail party, talking to someone you would like to get to know better but the background noise is making it hard to concentrate. Luckily, humans are very gifted at listening to someone speaking while many other people are talking loudly at the same time.

Over-the-counter eardrops may cause hearing loss or damage

harminka — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:40:49 -0600

A new study, led by researchers at The Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) of the MUHC, has revealed that certain over-the-counter earwax softeners can cause severe inflammation and damage to the eardrum and inner ear.

Lend me your ears and world will sound very different

harminka — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:07:28 -0600

Recognising people, objects or animals by the sound they make is an important survival skill and something most of us take for granted. But very similar objects can physically make very dissimilar sounds and we are able to pick up subtle clues about the identity and source of the sound.

Hearing changes how we perceive gender

harminka — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 06:06:04 -0500

Think about the confused feelings that occur when you meet someone whose tone of voice doesn’t seem to quite fit with his or her gender.