Data processing that analyzes a large amount of data about individual cells and measures them through multiple “omics” (such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics) have advanced our understanding of biological sciences and medicine in an unprecedented way.
With or Without Significant Hearing Loss, Older Mice Show Difficulty With Brain Processing
This new research indicates that even mild hearing loss with aging may result in a decline in temporal processing under challenging conditions, such as environments with increased noise.
When You Have to Think and Walk, What Happens to Your Balance?
Most activities of daily living require us to do two or more things at the same time, especially motor tasks (walking, standing, moving) with some form of a cognitive task (navigating, talking, decision-making). But it is not yet entirely clear what happens to balance performance in healthy individuals when they are also performing a cognitive task.
Evidence of Brain Tissue Damage From Blast Overpressure
Our results indicate that a single unilateral blast significantly impairs the structural and functional integrity at all levels of the central auditory neuraxis, or the auditory pathway in the higher brain centers. Overall, it is evident that the structural integrity of brain tissue is compromised at all levels.
A Historical Perspective on Surgery to Treat Ménière’s Disease
Since it was first discovered, Ménière’s disease has been a disorder managed primarily by otolaryngologists. As a result, surgical treatments have accompanied attempts at medical management. Inspired by patients' sensations of ear fullness and later by the histologic findings of hydrops, surgeons began manipulating the membranous labyrinth to relieve episodes of vertigo while attempting to preserve hearing.
A Multimodal Cell Census and Atlas of the Mammalian Primary Motor Cortex
In a paper published in Nature in October 2021, scientists including Ronna Hertzano, M.D., Ph.D., and Seth Ament, Ph.D., both at the University of Maryland and both members of Hearing Health Foundation’s Hearing Restoration Project, present the cell census and atlas of cell types in the primary motor cortex of the mouse, marmoset, and human.
To Create a Culture Shift About Healthy Hearing, Start Young (and Other Key Strategies)
Finding answers to fundamental questions—such as, “Why does this age group enjoy loud sounds?,” “What impact does hearing damage have on this age group?,” “What will truly motivate them to use hearing protection devices?”—will help develop effective and sustainable hearing conservation programs.
Impact 2021
Hearing Health Foundation is grateful for the support of our community to advance our mission to find better treatments and cures for hearing loss, tinnitus, and related conditions in 2021. We’re proud to share this list of significant scientific achievements this past year.
Common Loud Noises Cause Fluid Buildup in the Inner Ear—Which May Be Easily Resolved
Researchers discovered that after exposure to 100 decibels, the mice developed inner ear fluid buildup within hours. A week after this exposure, the mice were found to have lost auditory nerve cells. However, when researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestion in humans, into the affected mouse ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented.
Novel Small Molecule Promotes Synaptic Regeneration In Vitro
This work furthers the development of an effective drug delivery platform for the inner ear that uses the cochlear bone as a depot for prolonged neurotrophic stimulation of spiral ganglion neurons. Our method may bypass the pitfalls of systemic administration—increased risk of side effects and insufficient levels of drug delivery—and the dangers related to opening the cochlea.