AudiologyOnline Takes You Around the Web in 60 Seconds! - Vol. 4, No. 12

AudiologyOnline uses the latest in internet scanning and retrieval technology to find hearing health-related news and web sites from around the world. This information is then compiled and summarized by our President & Editor-in-Chief, Paul Dybala, Ph.D., and Associate Editor, Kristi Albers, M.A., so that you can take a virtual trip around the "hearing health world wide web" in 60 seconds!

This edition of "Around the Web" (ATW) includes: vitamins & hearing loss, first a bionic ear now a bionic eye, infrared hearing implants, radio and hearing aids, noisy toys and lightening causes hearing loss. Read about these and other stories below.

If you have an item to add to this list, please send it to the Editor via the Contact Us section of the web site.

50 Tips For Healthy Aging - 12/07/2008
thebostonchannel.com
#2 tip...Have a Hearing Screening if Hearing Loss is Suspected!

Hang up your phone if lightning gets close - 12/06/2008
orlandosentinel.com
Social-services aide Judy Figueroa was on the phone with a client when the lightning struck. It hit a power pole outside, but Figueroa, who was wearing a phone headset, felt sharp shocks in both ears. Her hearing was damaged and she suffers from tinnitus and vertigo. She has now been awarded $20k from her employer to cover hearing aids for the rest of her life.

Downturn treats device makers unevenly - 12/06/2008
twincities.com
Patients are waiting to buy new hearing aids so they have money so they have money to help family members who are struggling with the recession. Diabetics are sticking with less costly glucose tests rather than pay for medical devices that could provide more high-tech — but more expensive — ways to manage their condition. The se are just some of the examples that medical device manufacturers in the Twin Cities recite when describing how the economic downturn has affected business in an industry that some view as largely recession-proof.

Hearing is the greatest gift of all - 12/06/2008
thesudburystar.com
One columnist shares her journey in discovering the gift of hearing.

St. Petersburg dancer shines despite hearing loss - 12/06/2008
tampabay.com
Severe hearing loss had not stopped one young woman from loving music and having a gift to follow it.

Hearing Again: Jessica's 'Miraculous' Recovery - 12/05/2008
abcnews.go.com
Jessica Stone was first introduced on Good Morning America in August. Perhaps you have been following her story out of Michigan. She has now recovered from her CI surgery and hearing well!

Local youth develop plan to save teens' hearing - 12/03/2008
georginaadvocate.com
Recently students, along with music industry representatives, hearing specialists, researchers and educators, participated in a ground-breaking national 'Youth Listening Summit' to try to figure out how to hold off a "tidal wave of noise-induced hearing loss" about to swamp the younger generation.

Gene influencing age-related hearing loss - 12/03/2008
latimes.com
If you wonder why Gramps' hearing has gone to the dogs and Grandma's hearing has not ell, there could be a plethora of reasons. Such as lifetime exposure to loud noises, certain meds, certain medical conditions and more. Add genes to the mix.

A Hearing Lesson - 12/03/2008
keloland.com
Third graders were given a lesson in hearing - they simulated a hearing loss so they could understand how one of their classmates hears on a daily basis.

Rehab facilities finding many uses for Wii Fit - 12/01/2008
pressofatlanticcity.com
When someone has positional vertigo, sending that person across a tight-rope may not seem like the best idea. But that's exactly the type of challenge presented to Ann Ross as she attempts to keep her balance. A crowd is cheering her on as she carefully manages her way across the rope. Ross isn't actually on a rope suspended between buildings. Instead, she's in a totally safe environment navigating a virtual tightrope via the Wii Fit's balance pad.

Hearing group, musician sounds a warning on earbuds - 12/01/2008
pittsburghlive.com
Justin Roberts has wildly curious young fans, the type who might lean into a live monitor during one of his concerts just to see what it sounds like.

Fire Destroys Home, Son's Hearing Aids - 12/01/2008
myfoxkc.com
A family's house was hit by burglars and a house fire on the same day, destroying the son's hearing aids.

Listen up, this is about hearing loss - 12/01/2008
htrnews.com
Mark Ross, a veteran audiologist with a severe hearing loss, once said, "When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem."

New music treatment for tinnitus is promising - 11/30/2008
startribune.com
The pricey technique retrains the brain in how it reacts to sounds.

Hearing is believing - 11/30/2008
clarionledger.com
For children trapped in this silence, cochlear implants have become an integral tool in allowing them to perceive sound, albeit differently from people's typical aural experiences.

Noisy Toys Are Not Just Annoying - 11/29/2008
wake.mync.com
It's that time of year again to warn on the dangers of noisy toys.

Older adults easily distracted by noise - 11/29/2008
canadaeast.com
Toronto scientists have found further evidence that older adults have a hard time tuning out distractions when trying to concentrate on a single task.

Deafness doesn't faze Brentwood freshman football player - 11/29/2008
contracostatimes.com
Football is a tough sport. Imagine playing it with little to no hearing.

Rett Murch: Let's put laser to work boosting hearing, memory - 11/29/2008
news-press.com
One columnist wonders why there isn't a laser treatment to restore hearing yet.

Hearing-impaired babies studied - 11/29/2008
toledoblade.com
Mothers using "baby talk" could be just as important for hearing-impaired children as it is for babies with normal hearing. Researchers at Bowling Green State University are working with the Indiana University school of medicine to investigate the ways mothers talk to their babies and the infants' responses, particularly among babies who have cochlear implants because of hearing impairment.

Music to match your decor - 11/28/2008
mercurynews.com
Auditory wallpaper, audiostylists...the impact hearing music can have on our lives.

Many thanks for the gift of hearing - 11/27/2008
theworldlink.com
Tonni Willis will have a crowd at her house this Thanksgiving, and this year, she will hear every bit of what is going on. Thanks to the generosity of people on the South Coast and local health care professionals, the Reedsport High School senior said she has much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Device helps disabled teen communicate - 11/26/2008
timesrecordnews.com
Although cochlear implants have offered some help for one Wichita teen - they have not been enough. So his SLP introduced a Dynavox, a communication device that translates typed words and pictures into language, to him.

Phonak and NXP Develop New Ultra Low Power Wireless Communication Technology - 11/26/2008
marketwatch.com
Radio is coming to hearing aids.

Impaired senior succeeds in band - 11/25/2008
dailybeacon.utk.edu
For Lacie Duffel, senior in audiology, music has played an important part in her life. She has been in a band since the sixth grade where she began playing the flute and piccolo. She has changed instruments and now plays a baritone, and while she is not a music major, she takes her music seriously. Duffel only has about 45 percent of her hearing and is still able to play in one of the top notch marching bands in the country.

Judge Says Insurers Must Cover Bodily Injury Damages Against Bluetooth Maker - 11/24/2008
tradingmarkets.com
The lawsuits for NIHL have begun. A U.S. federal court judge in California ruled recently that several liability carriers must defend Bluetooth headset maker Plantronics against bodily injury even though the claims for which the manufacturer seeks insurance coverage do not allege bodily injury. Plantronics sought coverage for third-party lawsuits alleging that its headsets caused noise induced hearing loss.

Infrared Hearing Implants Create Optimism - 11/24/2008
redorbit.com
An ear implant that works by aiming infrared light into the inner ear is being explored by U.S. researchers. Nerves located in the ear can be moved by light in addition to sound, and a research group from Northwestern University, Illinois, is trying to capitalize on this idea.

Does hands-free law apply to hearing-impaired? - 11/24/2008
seattlepi.nwsource.com
The state of Washington has implemented a hands-free driving law;however, persons wearing a hearing aids are exempt. Read on for more explanation.

One roof, home to two businesses - 11/23/2008
thesuburbanite.com
One couple operates two businesses under one roof - she is a SLP, he an Audiologist.

Can you hear me now? - 11/22/2008
reporternews.com
Demand for hearing assistance increases as baby boomers age.

Jessica's Final Chapter - 11/19/2008
wzzm13.com
Her story began nearly six months ago with a decision to go deaf in order to save her life. Since then 23 year old Jessica Stone has taken quite a journey. Now her new CI has been activated and she hears "I love you" once again from her parents. One amazing young woman.

Hearing loss no deci-bull - 11/19/2008
westerncourier.com
MP3 players are becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment. Recently, issues have arisen due to the likelihood that these portable digital music players have caused irreversible hearing loss to those who use them.

How to avoid iPod ear damage - 11/18/2008
chicagotribune.com
ASHA provides tips that all iPod users should read.

State of California Stresses Early Intervention for Babies with Hearing Loss - 11/17/2008
include.nurse.com
Nurses play a crucial role in newborn hearing screenings in many states across the US and they take that role very seriously.

Poor MP3 habits damaging to hearing: survey - 11/17/2008
edmontonsun.com
Some young adults are damaging their ears by listening to digital music players too loud and for extended periods of time, a Hearing Foundation of Canada survey has found.

Sounding a warning on earbuds - 11/16/2008
chicagotribune.com
Justin Roberts has wildly curious young fans, the type who might lean into a live monitor during one of his concerts just to see what it sounds like. But the popular children's entertainer knows a blast of loud music isn't the only risk to a child's hearing.

What it means to be only human - 11/16/2008
news.com
Scientists found this month that the ability to distinguish between musical pitches is normal for humans, but not for most mammals.

Protecting kids' hearing starts when they're babies - 11/16/2008
examiner.com
Audiologist Pamela Mason was interviewed about protecting hearing of young children.

UA professor ranged from audiology to spirituality - 11/15/2008
azstarnet.com
Paul Skinner, who passed away on November 2nd, was a leader in speech therapy and audiology at the University of Arizona. As head of the university's department of speech and hearing sciences, he transformed the program from an amalgamation of speech therapy, theater arts and radio and television broadcast classes into one of the nation's top speech, language and hearing programs.

Tackling A Rare Disease - 11/14/2008
websterkirkwoodtimes.com
Two woman with acoustic neuromas find support for non-malignant brain tumor in patient organization.

Jessica's Story: A journey comes full circle - 11/14/2008
wkyc.com
Jessica chose to lose her hearing when doctors removed a dangerous tumor on her brainstem. Jessica suffers from Neurofibromatosis.

Youngster gets well adjusted with new hearing aid won at fair - 11/14/2008
lancastereaglegazette.com
These are the stories we love to read. Congrats to one young girl won free hearing aids at her local fair!

Mann Foundation Announces Donation of Two Cochlear Implants from Advanced Bionics - 11/13/2008
marketwatch.com
Foundation to Provide 'Bionic Ears' to Needy Hearing Impaired Through Placido Domingo's (Phonak's)Hear the World Foundation.

Team sets sights on first bionic eye - 11/13/2008
theage.com.au
Despite leading the world in developing the bionic ear, Australia lags behind groups in the US, Germany and Tokyo in bionic vision.

Noisy Neighborhoods - 11/13/2008
13wmaz.com
One community has received over 2000 noise complaints. The topic of noise exposure brings awareness to this community.

Callier Expands Services on Richardson Campus - 11/13/2008
utdallas.edu
Five years after opening its doors, the UT Dallas Callier Center's facility in Richardson has expanded its clinical programs and classes to meet the needs of North Texans.

Tuning In To The World - 11/13/2008
rocktownweekly.com
An organization called Quota International made it possible for one infant's family to provide him with a hearing aid that will allow him to hear sounds vital to his early development. A Quota program called Sound Beginnings, which ran from April through September, gave hearing aids to 100 infants in the United States diagnosed with hearing abnormalities.

What parents can do to cut the noise - 11/13/2008
pioneerlocal.com
Great list of resources to keep on hand for parents.

Hearing impaired horn player marches on in UT band - 11/12/2008
wbir.com
One marching band member has never let her hearing loss keep her from marching toward her dreams, and she hopes her story is an inspiration to others.

A Conversation With Dr. Emily Tobey - 11/12/2008
utdallas.edu
Her passion to learn more about hearing impairment and speech began in the sixth grade. Now she is a leading researcher and lecturer on cochlear implants and communication.

The battle over health insurance - 11/12/2008
wnyt.com
One little boy's parents are battling with their health insurance to cover a 2nd cochlear implant. He has auditory neuropathy and a CI in one ear has proven successful.

APWU Health Plan Takes Lead in Introducing New Hearing Benefit and Cap on Prescription Drug Costs - 11/12/2008
marketwatch.com
The American Postal Workers (APWU)Health Plan will provide a new hearing benefit for 2009 that covers diagnostic hearing tests and hearing aids.

Church offers services for hard-of-hearing - 11/12/2008
gazette.net
When the Rev. Barbara Allen begins to sing "Sweet Holy Spirit," many in the congregation can't hear her voice. But the gentle rise and fall of her hands and eyes is what makes the music matter.

Solid growth in a demanding market environment - 11/11/2008
sonova.com
Despite a weak economy, based on the first-half results, the Sonova Group expects to be able to exceed the growth rate of the hearing instrument market in the full financial year 2008/09 as well.

Hearing aids get sophisticated upgrades - 11/11/2008
dailymail.com
Hearing aids bring tears to one man that has had hearing loss his entire life.

BAHA aid restores hearing for Midlands boy - 11/11/2008
wach.com
One young South Carolina boy was the youngest BAHA recipient. His journey has been long but is now doing extremely well.

HearUSA Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results - 11/10/2008
marketwatch.com
HearUSA which operates 198 company-owned hearing care centers and a network of over 1,900 affiliated providers, reported financial results for the third quarter of 2008.

No more silence - 11/10/2008
muskogeephoenix.com
Hearing aids are changing lives, one life at a time.

Treating Hearing Loss with Vitamins - 11/10/2008
wnyt.com
According to a recent study various vitamins may be beneficial in preventing noise-induced hearing loss.

Learning easier for hard of hearing - 11/10/2008
greenbaypressgazette.com
A number of hearing-impaired students in the Green Bay School District now have a clearer way to listen, thanks to a donation toward some much-improved equipment.

GN Store Nord posts unexpected Q3 loss, cuts outlook - 11/06/2008
reuters.com
GN Store Nord posted an unexpected loss in the third quarter and cut its full-year outlook, citing a weak U.S. market for office and mobile headsets.

Phonak releases new Audeo earphones - 11/06/2008
news.cnet.com
Phonak has officially launched its new line of Audeo earphones. The company says, "Audeo earphones are designed to offer not only superb sound quality, but also so that listeners can wear them comfortably for hours."

Ear Docs' Warning Rings Loud and Clear: Turn Down the iPod! - 11/05/2008
technewsworld.com
Ear experts are warning a generation of iPod lovers to turn down the volume and maybe even take the earbuds out once in a while.

Sensaphonics Announces Limited-Time Trade-In Program - 11/04/2008
mixonline.com
Sensaphonics Hearing Conservation, a manufacturer of custom silicone earphones for musicians, has announced a limited-time trade-in program for users of other brands of custom earphones.

Dangerous Decibels? Are Movies Too Loud? - 11/03/2008
nbcconnecticut.com
Most of us would agree, yes they are too loud! One audiologist assists a news team in doing some measurements at various movies.