Coping With Hearing Loss
By Hedrick Lepsch
If you attended too many rock shows in your youth, or if you grew up next door to a raised subway platform, then you'll be happy to hear about new research that could amount to a cure for deafness. British scientists are currently researching a drug which has been shown to reverse deafness in mice. The experimental drug, codenamed LY411575, allows for the regeneration of the sensory hair cells that are crucial to hearing, and scientists are hopeful it could someday soon be used to improve hearing in humans as well.
This is the first research to come out to show that auditory hair cells can be regrown. "It is possible to regenerate hair cells, and that's something that had not been possible before," said Albert Edge of Harvard Medical School, who led the study.
Some people who have experienced hearing loss are good candidates for cochlear implants. Unlike hearing aids, they stimulate your auditory nerves and bypass the damaged parts of your ears. Cochlear implants are not right for every situation, and are not the best option for those for whom hearing aids work well. To get a cochlear implant, you must meet with an audiologist to ensure you are a good candidate.
The new drug LY411575 works by blocking Notch, the protein that prevents neighboring cells, called supporting cells, from turning into sensory hair cells. With the inhibiting protein out of the way, the supporting cells are free to transform themselves into the tiny hairs so vital for our hearing.
Tell your friends and family members that it is helpful for you to speak to someone you are facing directly, in a quiet area. Also let them know that they should get your attention before talking, and make sure that they know what will make you most comfortable and understanding.
Megan and Jack are fine as well. Perhaps they've listened to a little too much loud music in their youth, but they still manage to hear each other whispering in close proximity. But as we skip a generation up to Mom, Dad and Aunt Sally, we start to see the hearing degradation. Dad and/or Aunt Sally might not even realize that their hearing has declined over the years. It's a subtle thing that can be blamed on other peoples' mumbling or the fickleness of volume controls on phones and TVs. And then we have Grandma. It's clear that she struggles with hearing loss, but she hasn't bothered to get much help. Offended by the idea that she needs hearing aids (that's for old people, missy!), she has let her hearing deteriorate unimpeded.
Caption Call has helped many people suffering from hearing loss improve their quality of life with our Captioned Telephone Service. Call us today to find out how we can help you connect with your loved ones over the phone again.
This is the first research to come out to show that auditory hair cells can be regrown. "It is possible to regenerate hair cells, and that's something that had not been possible before," said Albert Edge of Harvard Medical School, who led the study.
Some people who have experienced hearing loss are good candidates for cochlear implants. Unlike hearing aids, they stimulate your auditory nerves and bypass the damaged parts of your ears. Cochlear implants are not right for every situation, and are not the best option for those for whom hearing aids work well. To get a cochlear implant, you must meet with an audiologist to ensure you are a good candidate.
The new drug LY411575 works by blocking Notch, the protein that prevents neighboring cells, called supporting cells, from turning into sensory hair cells. With the inhibiting protein out of the way, the supporting cells are free to transform themselves into the tiny hairs so vital for our hearing.
Tell your friends and family members that it is helpful for you to speak to someone you are facing directly, in a quiet area. Also let them know that they should get your attention before talking, and make sure that they know what will make you most comfortable and understanding.
Megan and Jack are fine as well. Perhaps they've listened to a little too much loud music in their youth, but they still manage to hear each other whispering in close proximity. But as we skip a generation up to Mom, Dad and Aunt Sally, we start to see the hearing degradation. Dad and/or Aunt Sally might not even realize that their hearing has declined over the years. It's a subtle thing that can be blamed on other peoples' mumbling or the fickleness of volume controls on phones and TVs. And then we have Grandma. It's clear that she struggles with hearing loss, but she hasn't bothered to get much help. Offended by the idea that she needs hearing aids (that's for old people, missy!), she has let her hearing deteriorate unimpeded.
Caption Call has helped many people suffering from hearing loss improve their quality of life with our Captioned Telephone Service. Call us today to find out how we can help you connect with your loved ones over the phone again.
About the Author:
Caption Call provides a free captioned phone to the deaf. These free hearing loss phones allow the deaf to enjoy spoken conversations with their friends and families.