Genes and Infant Hearing Loss
Research has shown that a variation in the gene called GJB2 increases a baby’s chance of hearing loss. Learn more here.
14
October, 2009
14
September, 2009
Shingles In The Ear – Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Shingles, also known as Herpes zoster, is a painful condition that is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Shingles involves the nerve pathways in the area affected, and is characterized by skin blisters in the early stages of the infection. Some people also subsequently experience strange nerve sensations such as burning, itching, [...]
1
September, 2009
Can Vitamin Supplements Protect Against Hearing Loss?
Studies presented at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology's annual conference earlier this year suggests that it may be possible for a combination of vitamins to protect against noise-induced and even age-related hearing loss in humans. Two separate studies, one using guinea pigs and the other, mice---showed that vitamin supplements containing the antioxidants beta carotene, vitamins [...]
21
August, 2009
Misophonia Is A Psychological Hearing Condition Causing Suffering From Specific Sounds
Misophonia, or hatred of sound, was first identified in 2000 when Pawel Jastreboff, a neuroscientist at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, found that some people had strong, negative reactions to specific sounds. Misophonia sufferers tend to focus on certain sounds to which they have a decreased tolerance, such as noises associated with eating, [...]
13
August, 2009
Talking To A Loved One About Hearing Loss
Many people are reluctant to acknowledge that their hearing isn’t what it used to be. The prevailing perception seems to be that hearing loss is a sign of old age. That’s an inaccurate assumption. Anyone of any age can experience a loss in hearing due to genetics, illness, injury, progressive ear conditions such as Surfer’s [...]
5
August, 2009
Cochlear Implants and Babies
An interesting article in the Los Angeles Times reports that more children who are born deaf are receiving cochlear implants, with great success. In a front-page article in the 8/3/09 edition of the Los Angeles Times, reporter Shari Roan writes that "studies published in the last two years have delivered what many experts say is [...]
29
July, 2009
Dr. Jack Shohet Teaches Specialized Procedure in Italy
Dr. Jack Shohet recently traveled to Rome, Italy to teach a multi-national group of a surgeons a specialized technique he has developed for implanting the Esteem implantable hearing aid. His trip was sponsored by Envoy Medical. From left the surgeons are:Rafael Urquiza from Malaga, Spain, Thomas Nikolopoulos from Athens, Greece, Khalid Mohammed A.Taibah from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Aristides Sismanis from [...]
16
July, 2009
Purchasing Hearing Aids Online: A Bargain?
Like many other health-related products, hearing aids are easy to find and purchase over the Internet. People looking for information on the different styles and technologies available can log on to many different websites to learn about different options. Purchasing hearing aids online is an entirely different matter. The price of the hearing aids may seem [...]
6
July, 2009
Lyric Featured on “Good Morning America”
A recent segment on "Good Morning America" spotlighted a new hearing aid technology that is greatly benefiting those patients with moderate hearing loss. Lyric is a totally invisible hearing aid that fits in the ear canal. I have been fitting these devices in my patients for over a year--in fact we were among the first [...]
2
July, 2009
Can Pools Be Hazardous To Your Ears?
I often caution my patients who spend lots of time in the ocean to wear ear plugs. The water off of Southern California beaches can be quite polluted, and ear infections can easily result. Avid swimmers and surfers are especially at risk for ear conditions, since they spend so much time in the water. I [...]