The Hearing Knowledge Hub

Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism that underpins noise-induced hearing loss, paving the way for the development of an effective medical treatment. A team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the USA have published a study showing that noise-induced hearing loss stems from cellular damage in the inner ear associated with an excess of free-floating zinc, an essential mineral for proper cell function and hearing. By performing experiments in mice and on isolated cells of the inner ear, the researchers found that, hours after mice were exposed to loud noise, their inner ear zinc levels spiked. Loud sound exposure causes a robust release of zinc which leads…

Scientists at the Charité University in Berlin have discovered that a tiny, transparent fish, called the Danionella cerebrum, makes a sound as loud as a pneumatic drill. The team started to investigate after hearing mysterious clicking noises coming from the fish tanks in their lab. The Danionella cerebrum drums out a rhythm on an organ called a swim bladder. Close to the fish, this manifests at 140 decibels – as loud as a gunshot. The fish is only 12mm long, and is thought to be the loudest fish for its size yet found. What’s the drumming for? The pistol shrimp can create very loud noises as it hunts – up…

What is your hearing number? Most people have a reasonable idea of their blood pressure and cholesterol or are at least aware of what the healthy ranges are. However, very few know what a typical hearing level consists of. But all that may be about to change.  A NEW CAMPAIGN Doctors at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US have launched a ‘Know your hearing number’ campaign. The aim of the campaign is that every person should know what their hearing number is so they can more easily track and measure their hearing health over time and have informed conversations about this aspect of their health. Your…

Gene therapy enables boy to hear for first time Aissam Dam, a Moroccan boy who has a rare form of deafness and was born with profound hearing loss in both ears, has become the first person to receive a new gene therapy procedure. The gene therapy was to correct an abnormality in a single, very rare gene, and it has enabled Aissam to hear sounds for the first time in his life. Scientists and doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, operated on 11-year-old Aissam in October last year to introduce a single dose of the gene therapy into his inner ear. Four months later his hearing in the treated…

How to have the difficult conversation about hearing loss If, over the festive season, you noticed a good friend or loved one was struggling to keep up with conversation, now is a good time to talk to them about it. While it’s understandable to want to avoid this potentially tricky topic, there are ways to make the conversation a positive experience for you both. Five helpful tips: 1. Timing is everything: Find a time when you’re both relaxed. Make sure your loved one can see and hear you clearly, so don’t opt for a busy café or restaurant. Somewhere where they feel at ease is best. 2. Take their lead: Rather than…